MassVoter.com← HansonMunicipal votes · 2025–2026 Board
Hanson Select Board
How the Hanson Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Same five members (Edwin Heal was re-elected, unopposed, in May 2025). Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett chaired the board, with Ann Rein as Vice Chair and Edwin Heal as Clerk. Minutes are loaded through April 28, 2026; the town has not posted minutes for May 2026 on. Covers 23 meetings, May 20 to April 28, 2026.
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 budgetVote Transparency Score
Hanson Select Board: 4 out of 10 · Hard to see
How easy Hanson makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 4, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are missing for some meetings more than three months old.Part points: 1/2
- Each vote namedSplit votes usually give only the count, not who voted which way.Part points: 1/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes take months to go up.No points: 0/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes from 2014 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textMost of the minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe Select Board page shows no member photos.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
- Minutes posted (+1): Post approved minutes for every meeting on the town website. Don’t require a sign-in to view them.
- Each vote named (+2): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Posted quickly (+2): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Hanson’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
What Town Meeting decided
In Hanson, 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
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills, $656.16 from free cash Passed “VOTED Aye, voice 9/10 Majority vote declared by Moderator”
- Art. 2 Transfer $258,000 from free cash for snow and ice removal Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 3 Transfer $10,000 from ambulance receipts for overtime to keep four firefighters on duty Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 Transfer $16,400 from school capital stabilization to replace four skylights at Hanson Middle School Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the May 4, 2026 Special Town Meeting (scanned).
Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 33 votes: 28 passed, 1 passed as amended, 4 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town officers and committees Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 2 Allow the Treasurer/Collector to enter compensating balance agreements in FY2027 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 3 Set salaries of elected officers Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 FY2027 operating budget, total $37,400,511 (line 58 reduced to $53,810.36) Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 5 Add $630,000 for four firefighter-paramedics and two police officers, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 6 Amend the wage and personnel bylaw (classification and compensation) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 7 Adopt the Capital Improvement Matrix Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 8 Transfer $150,000 from stabilization for a police CCTV camera system No action “VOTED Aye, voice to pass over”
- Art. 9 Set spending limits for revolving accounts Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 10 FY2027 Camp Kiwanee enterprise budget, $299,770 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 11 FY2027 Water Department budget, $1,951,774 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 12 Raise veterans' property tax exemptions by 50% (Clause 22J) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 13 Add $20,000 to the senior and veteran tax work-off programs Passed “VOTED, Aye, voice”
- Art. 14 Transfer $9,950 from free cash to seal-coat and reline the Town Hall parking lots No action “VOTED Aye, voice to pass over”
- Art. 15 Transfer $6,700 from free cash to connect the Liberty Street traffic lights to the Town Hall generator No action “VOTED Aye, voice to pass over”
- Art. 16 Transfer $9,623 from free cash to replace Town Hall sprinkler heads Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 18 Transfer $10,000 from the ambulance account for ambulance billing Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 19 Buy a new fire engine, $1,100,000: borrow $705,000 and transfer $395,000 from a 2023 appropriation Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 20 Transfer $16,461 from free cash for a server room chiller unit Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 21 Transfer $230,000 from water receipts for two Water Department vehicles Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 22 Transfer $75,000 from water receipts to upgrade the water SCADA system Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 23 Transfer $145,000 from water receipts for Water Department information technology Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 24 Community Preservation: FY2027 administrative budget ($25,800) and reserves, total $516,000 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 26 Spend $50,000 in Community Preservation funds for a playground at Hancock Street Park Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 27 Borrow $7.5 million for a new highway building and related renovations, contingent on a debt exclusion Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 28 Transfer $138,770 from free cash for a new highway building roof No action “VOTED Aye, voice to pass over”
- Art. 29 Transfer $25,000 from free cash for grading private gravel roads Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 31 Set aside 5 acres at 60 School Street for a future fire headquarters and senior center Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 32 Borrow $33,041,881 to expand and renovate the Hanson Public Library, contingent on a debt exclusion Passed “VOTED Aye, 177, Nay 65 (motion carries) · Aye, 177, Nay 65”
- Art. 33 Let the Library Trustees use about 3 acres of the former Maquan School property for the library project Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 34 Update the battery energy storage system (BESS) zoning rules Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 35 Approve a regional agreement amendment admitting Pembroke to South Shore Vocational Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 36 Place a town parcel on Hancock St./Spofford Ave. in the care of the Conservation Commission Passed “Voted Aye, voice declared 2/3 Vote by Moderator”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting (scanned).
Special Town Meeting · October 6, 2025 29 votes: 27 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills, $16,180.11 from free cash and Camp Kiwanee retained earnings Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 9/10 by Moderator”
- Art. 2 Raise $131,000 for the Police Relief Association contract, FY2026 Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 3 Raise $112,731 for the firefighters' (IAFF Local 2713) contract, FY2026 Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 4 Raise $23,000 for the Highway employees' (AFSCME Local 1700) contract, FY2026 Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 5 Raise $40,300 for the Administrative Professionals' (AFSCME Local 1700) contract, FY2026 Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 6 Raise $56,087 for non-union wages and contractual obligations, FY2026 Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 7 Transfer $50,000 from free cash for the Pratt Place culvert replacement Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 8 Transfer $3,500 from free cash for legal advertising Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 9 Transfer $40,000 from water receipts for security cameras at the Crystal Spring wellfield and Water Department office Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 10 Transfer $120,000 from water receipts for an emergency generator at the Crystal Springs wellfield Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 11 Raise $4,500 for the town-wide postage account Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 12 Transfer $50,000 from free cash for the FY2026 regional public safety communications assessment Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 13 Transfer $146,097.45 from free cash for two police cruisers Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 14 Transfer $125,000 from free cash for cybersecurity and network technology equipment Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 15 Transfer $68,000 from free cash for Microsoft 365 Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 16 Transfer $31,000 from free cash to restore library funds, staff hours and operating hours (amended from $21,000) Passed as amended “VOTED, Aye voice as amended”
- Art. 17 Transfer $40,000 from free cash for safety repairs to athletic field fences Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 18 Transfer $149,000 from free cash for a rubber-wheeled excavator Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 19 Transfer $78,000 from free cash for a skid steer loader Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 20 Transfer $7,500 from the ambulance account for two stair chairs Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 21 Transfer $6,600 from the ambulance account for two video laryngoscopes Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 22 Transfer $15,000 from free cash for the town share of a federal fire radio grant Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 23 Transfer $45,360 from free cash for an awning between the Senior Center and Supportive Day Program building Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 24 Transfer $2,000 from free cash for Board of Health legal notice advertising Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 25 Replace the FY2026 Camp Kiwanee budget: $306,000, using $31,000 in retained earnings and no subsidy Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 26 Replace the stormwater management bylaw (Article 3-21) Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 27 Replace the bylaw on discharges to the municipal storm drain system (Article 3-22) Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 28 Add an MBTA Communities multifamily overlay district to the zoning map and bylaw Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 29 Transfer $275,000 from free cash for legal fees if the MBTA zoning is not adopted No action “VOTED, Aye voice to Pass Over”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the October 6, 2025 Special Town Meeting (scanned).
Special Town Meeting · June 25, 2025 1 votes: 1 passed
- Art. 1 Transfer $262,669 from free cash to meet the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District assessment Passed “Voted Aye, voice”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the June 25, 2025 Special Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 7 votes: 6 passed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills, $4,464.94 from free cash Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 9/10 by Moderator”
- Art. 2 Transfer $5,000 from the ambulance account for ambulance billing No action “Voted Aye, voice to Passover”
- Art. 3 Transfer $12,750 from free cash to update a Main Street sidewalk design plan Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 Transfer $15,000 from free cash for a Main Street revitalization concept plan Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 5 Transfer $3,000 from free cash to scan Planning Board plans Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 6 Transfer $97,059.35 from free cash for snow and ice removal Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 7 Create a Library Building Committee Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the May 5, 2025 Special Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 29 votes: 18 passed, 6 passed as amended, 4 failed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town officers and committees Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 2 Allow the Treasurer/Collector to enter compensating balance agreements in FY2026 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 3 Set salaries of elected officers Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 Create a Water Enterprise Fund starting FY2026 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 5 FY2026 operating budget, total $35,240,812 (with $1,061,175 more from free cash if the override fails) Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice as amended”
- Art. 6 Add $3,000,000 for town departments and the regional school district, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override Passed “VOTED Aye 234, Nay 118 (motion carries) · Aye 234, Nay 118”
- Art. 7 Capital plan: $53,000 from free cash for two highway salt/sand spreaders (full plan failed, then reconsidered) Passed as amended “Vote, Aye voice as amended”
- Art. 8 Transfer $200,000 from free cash to the Stabilization Fund Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 9 Community Preservation: FY2026 administrative budget ($23,600) and reserves Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 10 Amend the wage and personnel bylaw (classification and compensation) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 11 Spend $8,000 in Community Preservation funds for accessible parking at the Sleeper Conservation Area Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 12 FY2026 Camp Kiwanee enterprise budget, $306,000 in expenses, without a budgeted subsidy Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice as amended”
- Art. 13 FY2026 Water Department budget, $2,081,191 Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice as amended”
- Art. 14 Transfer $275,000 from free cash for legal fees related to the MBTA Communities law Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 15 Transfer $9,950 from free cash to repair and reline the Town Hall parking lots Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 16 Transfer $12,692 from free cash to upgrade the Town Hall fire alarm Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 17 Require all dogs to be licensed each January 1 (dog bylaw) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 18 Require a kennel license for more than four dogs (dog bylaw) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 19 Replace the dog-related fine schedule in the enforcement bylaw Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 20 Adopt a pavement excavation moratorium bylaw Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 21 Transfer $15,000 from free cash for private road improvements Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 22 Replace the zoning rules on accessory apartments with rules for attached and detached accessory dwelling units Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator as amended”
- Art. 23 Transfer $20,000 from free cash to replenish the Conservation Fund (amended from $40,000) Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice as amended”
- Art. 24 Transfer $5,000 from free cash for the Factory Pond Dam inspection Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 25 Reuse $19,500 for the Thomas Mill water wheel, boardwalk and building repairs Passed “VOTED Aye 122, Nay 65 (motion carries) · Aye 122, Nay 65”
- Art. 26 Transfer $6,700 from free cash to connect the Liberty Street traffic lights to the Town Hall generator Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 27 Set spending limits for revolving accounts Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 28 Repeal the ban on sales of miniature single-use alcohol containers Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 29 Citizens' petition: repeal the ban on sales of miniature single-use alcohol containers No action “No motion was made”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the May 5, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · October 7, 2024 26 votes: 21 passed, 1 passed as amended, 4 failed
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills, $6,285.47 from free cash Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 9/10 by Moderator”
- Art. 2A Transfer $33,550 from free cash to restore Highway and Administrative union hours (FY2025) Passed “VOTED Aye 137, Nay 79 · Aye 137, Nay 79”
- Art. 2B Transfer $34,500 from free cash for union vacation buyback (FY2025) Failed “VOTED Aye 64, Nay 131 · Aye 64, Nay 131”
- Art. 2C Transfer $5,000 from free cash for a Town Administrator stipend Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 2D Transfer $1,500 from free cash for a Select Board office education stipend Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 3 Capital items: $75,000 from the water enterprise fund and $186,434 from school stabilization, total $261,434 Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 Amend the wage and personnel bylaw (classification and compensation) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 5 Allow town trust funds to be invested under the Prudent Investor Act Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 6 Transfer $76,000 from overlay surplus for property revaluation work, FY2026-2028 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 7 Transfer $12,900 from free cash for Town Hall repairs Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 8 Transfer $91,000 from free cash for a generator shared by the Library and Council on Aging Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 9 Transfer $26,750 from free cash to replace the police station battery backup (UPS) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 10 Transfer $9,360 from free cash to replace HVAC units at the fire station Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 11 Transfer $40,000 from the Community Preservation open space reserve to update the Open Space and Recreation Plan Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 12 Add battery energy storage systems (BESS) to the zoning bylaw Passed “VOTED Aye, 2/3 voice declared by Moderator”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $955 from the Community Housing Reserve as a grant match to review town land on Phillips Street Passed “VOTED Aye 127, Nay 96 · Aye 127, Nay 96”
- Art. 14 Place listed town parcels in the care of the Conservation Commission Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 15 Transfer $23,000 from free cash to replenish the Conservation Fund Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 16 Accept a utility and access easement at 1139 Main Street from Danecca Development Passed “VOTED Aye, voice 2/3 declared by Moderator”
- Art. 17 Spend $135,000 in Community Preservation funds to buy about 45 acres from Hubbell Distribution for conservation Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 18 Use $250,000 in ARPA funds for food pantry updates, catch basin repair and fire department equipment Passed “VOTED, Aye voice”
- Art. 19 Amend the South Shore Technical High School regional agreement Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 20 Transfer $16,887 from the Notice of Intent Fund to restore the Conservation Agent to full time Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 21 Transfer $18,925.70 from free cash to restore the Health Agent to full time Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 22 Repeal the ban on sales of miniature single-use alcohol containers Failed “VOTED Aye 97, Nay 109 · Aye 97, Nay 109”
- Art. 23 Have the Select Board send a letter to state officials seeking repeal of firearms law H.4885 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
Source: Town Clerk's record of the October 7, 2024 Special Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · June 17, 2024 1 votes: 1 passed
- Art. 1 Rescind the May 2024 budget vote and adopt a revised FY2025 operating budget, total $35,983,337 Passed “Voted Aye, Voice”
Special Town Meeting · May 6, 2024 5 votes: 5 passed
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills, $404.06 from free cash Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 9/10 by Moderator”
- Art. 2 Use $1,627,239 in ARPA funds for an ambulance, a pond management study and the Pratt Place culvert Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 3 Transfer $15,000 from free cash for grading and pothole repair on private roads Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $50,000 from the Community Housing Reserve for a Housing Production Plan Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 5 Reuse $6,500 from a 2017 appropriation for Pratt Place procurement expenses Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2024 29 votes: 24 passed, 1 passed as amended, 2 failed, 2 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town officers and committees Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 2 Allow the Treasurer/Collector to enter compensating balance agreements in FY2025 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 3 Set salaries of elected officers Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 4 Set spending limits for revolving accounts Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 5 FY2025 operating budget, total $35,818,390 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 6 Add $372,141 for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override Failed “VOTED Aye, 127, Nay 231 (motion does not carry) · Aye, 127, Nay 231”
- Art. 7 Adopt the Capital Improvement Program Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 8 Amend the wage and personnel bylaw (classification and compensation) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 9 Community Preservation: FY2025 administrative budget ($23,600) and reserves Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 10 Capital purchases: $50,000 (ambulance fund) for a Lucas CPR device and $35,000 (free cash) for the Nathaniel Mill roof Passed as amended “VOTED Aye, voice as amended”
- Art. 11 Charge a $30 fee for each tax demand issued by the collector Passed “VOTED Aye 190, Nay 101 (motion carries) · Aye 190, Nay 101”
- Art. 12 Lower the Capital Improvement Committee review threshold from $35,000 to $20,000 Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 13 FY2025 Camp Kiwanee enterprise budget ($350,000 receipts, $14,000 retained earnings) Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 14 Require town boards to post agendas and minutes Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 15 Transfer $16,500 from ambulance revenues for three laptop computers Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 16 Transfer $10,000 from free cash (article passed over) No action “VOTED Aye, voice to Pass Over”
- Art. 17 Add an MBTA Communities multifamily overlay district to the zoning map and bylaw Failed “VOTED Nay, voice”
- Art. 18 Rename the Recreation Committee the Recreation Commission Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 19 Require citizens' petition articles to be filed 60 days before a town meeting Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 20 Set the Finance Committee at five voters who are not town officers or employees Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 21 Lower the interest rate on senior tax deferral agreements from 8% to 2% Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 22 Apply for a state library construction grant and reallocate $150,000 in ARPA funds for library planning and design Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 23 Revise a prior vote and file a home rule petition to change the use of 8.5 acres of the Webster-Billings Conservation Area Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 24 Transfer $50,000 from Community Preservation funds to finish new soccer and football fields at Hanson Middle School Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 25 Place Assessors Map 67, Lot 17 in the care of the Water Department for water credit land protection Passed “VOTED Aye, voice declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 26 Appropriate $30,000 to replenish the Conservation Fund No action “VOTED Aye, voice to Pass Over”
- Art. 27 Appropriate $15,000 to remove invasive phragmites at Smitty's Bog Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 28 Accept Chapter 90 state road funds Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
- Art. 29 Adopt a bylaw banning sales of miniature single-use alcohol containers Passed “VOTED Aye, voice”
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
ChairLaura FitzGerald-KemmettChair · Elected townwide · at 23 of 23 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Vice-ChairAnn ReinVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 22 of 23 meetings
Joseph WeeksMember · Elected townwide · at 18 of 23 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.
Attendance
9 full-board meetings so far this year, through April 28. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett9 of 9 meetings Every meeting100%1Edwin Heal9 of 9 meetings Every meeting100%1Ann Rein9 of 9 meetings Every meeting100%4Joseph Weeks7 of 9 meetings78%5David George4 of 9 meetings44%25 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%2Ann Rein23 of 25 meetings92%3Edwin Heal22 of 25 meetings88%4Joseph Weeks20 of 25 meetings80%5David George17 of 25 meetings68%35 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett35 of 35 meetings Every meeting100%2Edwin Heal34 of 35 meetings97%2Joseph Weeks34 of 35 meetings97%4Ann Rein32 of 35 meetings91%5David George26 of 35 meetings74%36 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett35 of 36 meetings97%1Edwin Heal35 of 36 meetings97%1Joseph Weeks35 of 36 meetings97%4Ann Rein34 of 36 meetings94%5David George18 of 20 meetings · served from May90%6James Hickey14 of 16 meetings · served until May88%36 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett36 of 36 meetings Every meeting100%1Edwin Heal23 of 23 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%3James Hickey35 of 36 meetings97%4Matthew Dyer12 of 13 meetings · served until May92%5Ann Rein21 of 23 meetings · served from May91%6Joseph Weeks30 of 36 meetings83%7Kenny Mitchell9 of 13 meetings · served until May69%19 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1James Hickey19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Joseph Weeks13 of 13 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Wesley Blauss6 of 6 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%5Matthew Dyer18 of 19 meetings95%6Kenny Mitchell16 of 19 meetings84%28 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Matthew Dyer28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Kenny Mitchell28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%3Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett27 of 28 meetings96%3James Hickey27 of 28 meetings96%5Wesley Blauss26 of 28 meetings93%35 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Matthew Dyer34 of 35 meetings97%1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett34 of 35 meetings97%3James Hickey33 of 35 meetings94%3Kenny Mitchell33 of 35 meetings94%5Wesley Blauss31 of 35 meetings89%30 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett30 of 30 meetings Every meeting100%1Kenny Mitchell30 of 30 meetings Every meeting100%1Wesley Blauss17 of 17 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Matthew Dyer17 of 17 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Donald Howard13 of 13 meetings · served until May Every meeting100%1James McGahan13 of 13 meetings · served until May Every meeting100%7James Hickey29 of 30 meetings97%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Select Board minutes from January 9, 2018 through April 28, 2026, as posted on the town website (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until 2022). Not here yet: minutes before 2018 (online back to 2014, not loaded), and any minutes after April 28, 2026 (the town has not posted them yet). The town's links for the April 7 and April 14, 2020 minutes open a "Page Not Found" page, and its September 9, 2025 link opens the agenda instead of the minutes, so those meetings are missing. About one in five files are scanned images; we read them with text recognition and checked the hard-to-read counts against the page. Hanson's minutes record most votes as a count, such as "Voted 5 – 0" or "5 members vote in the affirmative", and since about 2023 often add a roll call by name. When the count equals the members present and no one voted no or abstained, we show every member present as voting yes; when a roll call lists each member, we show each vote as recorded. When a count is split, or does not match the members listed present, and the minutes do not say who voted which way, we show only the count. Where a roll call names a member the minutes list as absent, lists a member twice, or does not match the stated count, we show the count only and add a note. A few votes recorded only as "motion carried" show the result only and are not treated as unanimous. Members who stepped aside (recused) or left the room are left out of that vote. Joint votes with other boards (Planning Board, Board of Health, School Committee) are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Dec 16Recertify vote and notarize Adoption of Change to Conservation…Motion: to recertify vote and notarize Adoption of Change to Conservation Restriction…Passed 4–0 · see note
December 16, 2025: Recertify vote and notarize Adoption of Change to Conservation Restriction of Article 19 Special Town Meeting October 5, 2009. Document notarized by Asst. Town Clerk Jean Kelly
To recertify vote and notarize Adoption of Change to Conservation Restriction of Article 19 Special Town Meeting October 5, 2009. Document notarized by Asst. Town Clerk Jean Kelly
The minutes give only the count (4-0) with 3 members shown present, not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to recertify vote and notarize Adoption of Change to Conservation Restriction of Article 19 Special Town Meeting October 5, 2009. Document notarized by Asst. Town Clerk Jean Kelly; by Vice Chair Rein, seconded by Clerk Heal. 4 members in favor, 1 member absent. Motion carried.” (Motion: Rein, second: Heal)
Dec 16Appoint Daniel Pardo as the Massachusetts State Appointee effective…Motion: to appoint Daniel Pardo as the Massachusetts State Appointee effective December…Passed 4–0 · see note
December 16, 2025: Appoint Daniel Pardo as the Massachusetts State Appointee effective December 16, 2025, through May 2026
To appoint Daniel Pardo as the Massachusetts State Appointee effective December 16, 2025, through May 2026
The minutes give only the count (4-0) with 3 members shown present, not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Daniel Pardo as the Massachusetts State Appointee effective December 16, 2025, through May 2026, by Vice Chair Rein, seconded by Clerk Heal. 4 members in favor, 1 member absent. Motion carried.” (Motion: Rein, second: Heal)
Dec 16Accept the Side Letter of Agreement regarding Heavy Equipment…Motion: to accept the Side Letter of Agreement regarding Heavy Equipment Operators…Passed 4–0 · see note
December 16, 2025: Accept the Side Letter of Agreement regarding Heavy Equipment Operators under AFSME Council 93, Local 1700 (Highway)
To accept the Side Letter of Agreement regarding Heavy Equipment Operators under AFSME Council 93, Local 1700 (Highway)
The minutes give only the count (4-0) with 3 members shown present, not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to accept the Side Letter of Agreement regarding Heavy Equipment Operators under AFSME Council 93, Local 1700 (Highway) by Vice Chair Rein, seconded by Clerk Heal. 4 members in favor, 1 member absent. Motion carried.” (Motion: Rein, second: Heal)
Dec 2Approve the request of the Hanson American Legion to…Motion: to approve the request of the Hanson American Legion to place…Passed 3–0 · see note
December 2, 2025: Approve the request of the Hanson American Legion to place sign on Town property
To approve the request of the Hanson American Legion to place sign on Town property
The minutes give only the count (3-0) with 4 members shown present, not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the request of the Hanson American Legion to place sign on Town property by Clerk Heal, seconded by Mr. Weeks. 3 members vote in the affirmative.” (Motion: Heal, second: Weeks)
Dec 2Approve the request of the Whitman Hanson Hockey Team…Motion: to approve the request of the Whitman Hanson Hockey Team to…Passed 3–0 · see note
December 2, 2025: Approve the request of the Whitman Hanson Hockey Team to sell Christmas trees and wreaths from 11/29 – 11/30/2025 (retro request) on the Town Hall Green
To approve the request of the Whitman Hanson Hockey Team to sell Christmas trees and wreaths from 11/29 – 11/30/2025 (retro request) on the Town Hall Green
The minutes give only the count (3-0) with 4 members shown present, not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the request of the Whitman Hanson Hockey Team to sell Christmas trees and wreaths from 11/29 – 11/30/2025 (retro request) on the Town Hall Green by Mr. Weeks, seconded by Clerk Heal. 3 members vote in the affirmative.” (Motion: Weeks, second: Heal)
Dec 2Approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Stevenson baby shower,…Motion: to approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Stevenson baby shower, February…Passed 3–0 · see note
December 2, 2025: Approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Stevenson baby shower, February 15, 2026; Dillion fundraiser, January 17, 2026; December 5, 2025, Plymouth County Beekeeper Holiday Party
To approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Stevenson baby shower, February 15, 2026; Dillion fundraiser, January 17, 2026; December 5, 2025, Plymouth County Beekeeper Holiday Party
The minutes give only the count (3-0-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Stevenson baby shower, February 15, 2026; Dillion fundraiser, January 17, 2026; December 5, 2025, Plymouth County Beekeeper Holiday Party by Clerk Heal, seconded by Mr. Weeks, 3 members vote in the affirmative, 1 member abstains, 1 member absent.” (Motion: Heal, second: Weeks)
Oct 28Approve 1 Day Liquor License, November 9, 2026, from…Motion: to approve 1 Day Liquor License, November 9, 2026, from 11:30…Passed 3–0 · see note
October 28, 2025: Approve 1 Day Liquor License, November 9, 2026, from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM for Alison Rasmensen and 1 Day Liquor License, November 15, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 10:00…
To approve 1 Day Liquor License, November 9, 2026, from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM for Alison Rasmensen and 1 Day Liquor License, November 15, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM for Hanson Food Pantry Fundraiser
The minutes give only the count (3-0) with 4 members shown present, not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion: to approve 1 Day Liquor License, November 9, 2026, from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM for Alison Rasmensen and 1 Day Liquor License, November 15, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM for Hanson Food Pantry Fundraiser, by Vice Chair Rein, second by Clerk Heal. 3 members vote in the affirmative.” (Motion: Rein, second: Heal)
Oct 14Accept a $2,240.33 donation to the Hanson LibraryMotion: to accept a $2,240.33 donation to the Hanson LibraryPassed 4–0 · see note
October 14, 2025: Accept a $2,240.33 donation to the Hanson Library
To accept a $2,240.33 donation to the Hanson Library
The minutes give only the count (4-0) with 3 members shown present, not how each member voted. The minutes name Edwin Heal as making this motion, but Edwin Heal is not on the attendance list for this vote, so Edwin Heal is not counted present.
From the minutes
“Motion: to accept a $2,240.33 donation to the Hanson Library by Clerk Heal, second by Mr. Weeks. 4 members vote in the affirmative; 1 member absent.” (Motion: Heal, second: Weeks)
Oct 14Ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9,…Motion: to ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025,…Passed 4–0 · see note
October 14, 2025: Ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025, between Lt. Daley and Hanson Select Board
To ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025, between Lt. Daley and Hanson Select Board
The minutes give only the count (4-0) with 3 members shown present, not how each member voted. The minutes name Edwin Heal as making this motion, but Edwin Heal is not on the attendance list for this vote, so Edwin Heal is not counted present.
From the minutes
“Motion: to ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025, between Lt. Daley and Hanson Select Board, by Clerk Heal, second by Mr. Weeks. 4 members vote in the affirmative; 1 member absent.” (Motion: Heal, second: Weeks)
Oct 14Ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9,…Motion: to ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025,…Passed 4–0 · see note
October 14, 2025: Ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025, between Lt. Durgin and Hanson Select Board
To ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025, between Lt. Durgin and Hanson Select Board
The minutes give only the count (4-0) with 3 members shown present, not how each member voted. The minutes name Edwin Heal as making this motion, but Edwin Heal is not on the attendance list for this vote, so Edwin Heal is not counted present.
From the minutes
“Motion: to ratify Hanson Police Department contract, signed on September 9, 2025, between Lt. Durgin and Hanson Select Board, by Clerk Heal, second by Mr. Weeks. 4 members vote in the affirmative; 1 member absent.” (Motion: Heal, second: Weeks)
From the Hanson 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: stills from WHCA-TV interviews (Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, Municipal Focus, July 2023; Ann Rein, Joe Weeks and Frank Milisi, Bring It On, April 2024). Members without a photo show initials.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →