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Municipal votes · 2020–2021 Board

Hanover Select Board

How the Hanover Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Rhonda Nyman and Vanessa O'Connor joined the board after the June 27, 2020 election; Emmanuel Dockter and Jocelyn Keegan left. John C. Tuzik chaired the first two meetings. On July 20, 2020 the board chose David R. Delaney as Chairman and Rhonda Nyman as Vice Chair (John Barry abstained on both), and on Feb. 1, 2021 it appointed Vanessa O'Connor as Clerk. Most meetings in this term were held remotely. Covers 25 meetings, July 10 to May 3, 2021.

A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.

What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.

Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.

Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Board years

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What Town Meeting decided

In Hanover, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.

Special Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 4 votes: 4 passed

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the May 4, 2026 Special Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 46 votes: 41 passed, 2 failed, 2 no action, 1 referred

Sessions: May 4 and 5, 2026

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Special Town Meeting · December 8, 2025 5 votes: 3 passed, 2 no action

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the December 8, 2025 Special Town Meeting.

Special Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 3 votes: 3 passed

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the May 5, 2025 Special Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 47 votes: 43 passed, 1 failed, 1 no action, 2 referred

Sessions: May 5 and 6, 2025

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Special Town Meeting · December 9, 2024 4 votes: 4 passed

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the December 9, 2024 Special Town Meeting.

Special Town Meeting · May 6, 2024 2 votes: 2 passed

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the May 6, 2024 Special Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2024 45 votes: 39 passed, 2 passed as amended, 4 referred

Sessions: May 6 and 7, 2024

Source: Town Clerk's journal of the May 2024 Annual Town Meeting.

Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).

Members

John BarryMember · Elected townwide · at 21 of 25 meetingsVanessa O'ConnorMember, then Clerk (from Feb. 1, 2021) · Elected townwide · at 25 of 25 meetingsJohn C. TuzikChair (until July 20, 2020) · Elected townwide · at 24 of 25 meetings

"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.

Meetings

About missing minutes

Loaded: Select Board minutes from April 2, 2018 through September 8, 2026, as posted on the town website (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until 2021). Not here yet: minutes before April 2018 (the town posts those as web pages), minutes after September 8, 2026, and the February 20, 2024 minutes (the town’s link opens the February 5, 2024 minutes instead). Hanover’s minutes are written as narrative. Most votes before mid-2021, and many since, are recorded only as “The Board voted to …” with no count and no names; those show the result only, not how each member voted, and are not treated as unanimous. When the minutes say a vote was unanimous we show every member present as voting yes, and when they list a roll call (aye/nay by name), as most votes from late 2021 to 2025 do, we show each member’s vote as recorded. Where a roll call names a member the minutes list as absent or not yet arrived, lists a member twice, or does not match a stated count, we show the count only and add a note. Members who stepped aside (recused) are left out of that vote. Votes by other boards at joint meetings (Planning Board, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Bylaw Review Committee) are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Monday, May 3, 2021 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 3 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, April 26, 2021 · Regular meeting0 recorded votes, 5 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, April 5, 2021 · Regular meeting2 recorded votes, 14 with disagreementAbsent: John BarryMonday, March 15, 2021 · Regular meeting0 recorded votes, 3 with disagreementAbsent: John C. TuzikMonday, March 1, 2021 · Regular meeting3 recorded votes, 8 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Apr 26Grant the request of the School's Chief Financial Officer…Motion: to grant the request of the School's Chief Financial Officer to…Passed · see note

April 26, 2021: Grant the request of the School's Chief Financial Officer to transfer $250,000 from the Special Education Reserve Account to the Hanover School Department Operating Budget

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To grant the request of the School's Chief Financial Officer to transfer $250,000 from the Special Education Reserve Account to the Hanover School Department Operating Budget.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted to grant the request of the School's Chief Financial Officer to transfer $250,000 from the Special Education Reserve Account to the Hanover School Department Operating Budget..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 26Renew the Avitabile Inc. dba Avitabile Fine Jewelers,1774 Washington…Motion: to renew the Avitabile Inc. dba Avitabile Fine Jewelers,1774 Washington Street,…Passed · see note

April 26, 2021: Renew the Avitabile Inc. dba Avitabile Fine Jewelers,1774 Washington Street, Jean W. Winn dba Hanover Coin & Jewelry, 803 Washington Street, and Hajnasr Jewelers of Hanover Inc. dba NASR Jewelers,...

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To renew the Avitabile Inc. dba Avitabile Fine Jewelers,1774 Washington Street, Jean W. Winn dba Hanover Coin & Jewelry, 803 Washington Street, and Hajnasr Jewelers of Hanover Inc. dba NASR Jewelers, 280 Columbia Road Junk Dealers Licenses.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted to renew the Avitabile Inc. dba Avitabile Fine Jewelers,1774 Washington Street, Jean W. Winn dba Hanover Coin & Jewelry, 803 Washington Street, and Hajnasr Jewelers of Hanover Inc. dba NASR Jewelers, 280 Columbia Road Junk Dealers Licenses..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 26Renew the Boston Bowl Hanover Inc. dba Boston Bowl,…Motion: to renew the Boston Bowl Hanover Inc. dba Boston Bowl, 58…Passed · see note

April 26, 2021: Renew the Boston Bowl Hanover Inc. dba Boston Bowl, 58 Rockland Street Bowling Alley License

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To renew the Boston Bowl Hanover Inc. dba Boston Bowl, 58 Rockland Street Bowling Alley License.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted to renew the Boston Bowl Hanover Inc. dba Boston Bowl, 58 Rockland Street Bowling Alley License..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Apr 26Not support Article 6 at Town Meeting and to…Motion: to not support Article 6 at Town Meeting and to have…Passed · see note

April 26, 2021: Not support Article 6 at Town Meeting and to have further discussions on the elected vs. appointed Town Clerk question (the Chair's motion on the floor)

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To not support Article 6 at Town Meeting and to have further discussions on the elected vs. appointed Town Clerk question (the Chair's motion on the floor)

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted in favor of the motion on the floor..” (Motion: Delaney, second: Barry)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Apr 5Appoint Finance Director Chelsea Stevens as the Mayflower Municipal…Motion: to appoint Finance Director Chelsea Stevens as the Mayflower Municipal Health…Passed · see note

April 5, 2021: Appoint Finance Director Chelsea Stevens as the Mayflower Municipal Health Group Primary Designee

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

To appoint Finance Director Chelsea Stevens as the Mayflower Municipal Health Group Primary Designee.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted to appoint Finance Director Chelsea Stevens as the Mayflower Municipal Health Group Primary Designee..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 5Expand food pantry to the amount of space available…Motion: to expand food pantry to the amount of space available at…Passed · see note

April 5, 2021: Expand food pantry to the amount of space available at the Sylvester School Building

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To expand food pantry to the amount of space available at the Sylvester School Building.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted to expand food pantry to the amount of space available at the Sylvester School Building..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 5Approve the Request For Proposals for the Edmund Q.…Motion: to approve the Request For Proposals for the Edmund Q. Sylvester…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Tuzik

April 5, 2021: Approve the Request For Proposals for the Edmund Q. Sylvester School as issued by the Board of Selectmen April 6, 2021 as amended by the Town Manager since the Board's…

ApprovePassed · 3–0

To approve the Request For Proposals for the Edmund Q. Sylvester School as issued by the Board of Selectmen April 6, 2021 as amended by the Town Manager since the Board's last meeting.

Yes: Delaney, Nyman, O'ConnorAbstained: Tuzik

From the minutes

“The Board voted to approve the Request For Proposals for the Edmund Q. Sylvester School as issued by the Board of Selectmen April 6, 2021 as amended by the Town Manager since the Board's last meeting. Vice Chair Nyman, aye, Selectwoman O'Connor, aye, Chairman Delaney, aye. Selectman Tuzik abstained from voting as he had not been present at the last meeting, and had not had a chance to look the RFP over..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 5Accept the donation of the shed for Parks and…Motion: to accept the donation of the shed for Parks and Rec…Passed · see note

April 5, 2021: Accept the donation of the shed for Parks and Rec to be located at Forge Pond Park, noting the donation has a value greater than $5,000.00

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To accept the donation of the shed for Parks and Rec to be located at Forge Pond Park, noting the donation has a value greater than $5,000.00.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted pursuant to Board of Selectmen Policy 7-7 Sponsorship and Donations, to accept the donation of the shed for Parks and Rec to be located at Forge Pond Park, noting the donation has a value greater than $5,000.00..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 5Approve the Notice for the Election of Officers as…Motion: to approve the Notice for the Election of Officers as provided…Passed · see note

April 5, 2021: Approve the Notice for the Election of Officers as provided by the Town Clerk

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To approve the Notice for the Election of Officers as provided by the Town Clerk.

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board Voted to approve the Notice for the Election of Officers as provided by the Town Clerk..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 5Open the Annual Town Meeting WarrantMotion: to open the Annual Town Meeting WarrantPassed · see note

April 5, 2021: Open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

To open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant

The minutes say the board voted to do this but do not give a count or say how each member voted.

From the minutes

“The Board voted to open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

From the Hanover Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town website. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos of current members: Jim Hoyes from his campaign site (hoyesforhanover.com); Vanessa O’Connor from her Select Board Facebook page (Hanover Selectwoman Vanessa O’Connor); Steve Louko from his campaign Facebook page (Steve Louko – Hanover Selectman); Rachel Hughes from a Hanover Community TV still (Hanover Woman’s Club Juniors Candidates Night, April 2025, with her on-screen name label). Members without a photo show initials.

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