MassVoter.com← HansonMunicipal votes · 2017–2018 Board
Hanson Select Board
How the Hanson Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. James McGahan chaired the board and Kenny Mitchell was Vice Chairman. MassVoter has loaded minutes from January 9, 2018 on; this board organized in May 2017, before the loaded minutes begin. Covers 13 meetings, January 9 to May 15, 2018.
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 budgetBoard 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
Laura FitzGerald-KemmettMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 13 meetingsJames HickeyMember · Elected townwide · at 12 of 13 meetingsDonald HowardMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 13 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 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.
May 1Approve the budget Article 5 as presentedMotion: to approve the budget Article 5 as presentedPassed 4–0 · Abstained: FitzGerald-Kemmett
May 1, 2018: Approve the budget Article 5 as presented
To approve the budget Article 5 as presented
Yes: Hickey, Howard, McGahan, MitchellAbstained: FitzGerald-Kemmett
From the minutes
“MOTION by Howard, second by Mitchell to approve the budget Article 5 as presented. Voted 4 –0 - 1 FitzGerald-Kemmett.” (Motion: Howard, second: Mitchell)
Apr 17Recommend Article 32Motion: to recommend Article 32Passed 4–1 · No: Hickey
April 17, 2018: Recommend Article 32
To recommend Article 32
Yes: FitzGerald-Kemmett, Howard, McGahan, MitchellNo: Hickey
From the minutes
“MOTION by Mitchell, second by Howard to recommend Article 32. Voted 4 – 1 (Hickey).” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Howard)
Apr 10Approve the request for gravel removal permit subject to…Motion: to approve the request for gravel removal permit subject to operational…Passed · see note
April 10, 2018: Approve the request for gravel removal permit subject to operational standards and waive the requirement for bond or restoration standards
To approve the request for gravel removal permit subject to operational standards and waive the requirement for bond or restoration standards
The minutes say the motion carried but do not give a count or say how each member voted.
From the minutes
“MOTION by Howard, second by Hickey to approve the request for gravel removal permit subject to operational standards and waive the requirement for bond or restoration standards. Discussion – Mrs. FitzGerald-Kemmett noted that Town Counsel recommends that an Engineer inspect the site to ensure compliance of the Soil removal permit. Chairman McGahan noted that there is a bond requirement. Building Commissioner Robert Curran noted that the project is permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. He feels that the Board should waive any additional requirements for the by-law. The building permit will be issued after the excess material is removed. The permitting was approved through the Zoning Board and the site restoration. Mrs. FitzGerald-Kemmett wants to insure that the operation standards to be met. She wants to be sure someone does not come in and strip the lot without any construction. Mr. Curran indicated there is no building permit yet, but the applicant will have to excavate additional soils for construction. He does not feel that a bond should be required for this particular project. Patricia Dias an abutter asked what the transition will be from her property to site and whether it is going to be a retaining wall or slope. Mr. Coulstring noted there will be 150 feet from the Abington/Rockland Water easement. They will build a retention pond. They anticipate it will remain as it currently exists. So voted.” (Motion: Howard, second: Hickey)
Apr 3Approve a three year extension to Mr. McCue's Employment…Motion: to approve a three year extension to Mr. McCue's Employment Agreement,…Passed 5–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Approve a three year extension to Mr. McCue's Employment Agreement, subject to the Board's review and approval of a document reflecting the extension
To approve a three year extension to Mr. McCue's Employment Agreement, subject to the Board's review and approval of a document reflecting the extension
The minutes give the count (5-0), but only four members are listed present (James Hickey is listed absent), so only the count is shown.
From the minutes
“The Board voted 5-0 to approve a three year extension to Mr. McCue's Employment Agreement, subject to the Board's review and approval of a document reflecting the extension..”
Mar 15Authorize the Hanson Building Inspector to act as enforcement…Motion: To authorize the Hanson Building Inspector to act as enforcement agent…Passed 4–1 · No: Mitchell
March 15, 2018: Authorize the Hanson Building Inspector to act as enforcement agent for the Earth Removal permits
To authorize the Hanson Building Inspector to act as enforcement agent for the Earth Removal permits
Yes: FitzGerald-Kemmett, Hickey, Howard, McGahanNo: Mitchell
From the minutes
“Motion: To authorize the Hanson Building Inspector to act as enforcement agent for the Earth Removal permits. (Kemmett/Howard) 4:1 (Mitchell opposed) motion passes.” (Motion: FitzGerald-Kemmett, second: Howard)
Feb 13Name the Winter Street Bridge after Rep. Charles W.…Motion: to name the Winter Street Bridge after Rep. Charles W. MannPassed · see note
February 13, 2018: Name the Winter Street Bridge after Rep. Charles W. Mann
To name the Winter Street Bridge after Rep. Charles W. Mann
The minutes say the motion carried but do not give a count or say how each member voted.
From the minutes
“MOTION by Mitchell, second FitzGerald-Kemmett to name the Winter Street Bridge after Rep. Charles W. Mann. Mr. Hickey asked that Hanover be involved in the park to be named for the Teague Family. So Voted.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: FitzGerald-Kemmett)
Feb 13Execute an agreement with Blue Wave Solar contingent upon…Motion: to execute an agreement with Blue Wave Solar contingent upon approval…Passed · see note
February 13, 2018: Execute an agreement with Blue Wave Solar contingent upon approval by Town Counsel
To execute an agreement with Blue Wave Solar contingent upon approval by Town Counsel
The minutes say the motion carried but do not give a count or say how each member voted.
From the minutes
“MOTION by Mitchell, second by Hickey to execute an agreement with Blue Wave Solar contingent upon approval by Town Counsel. Ms. FitzGerald-Kemmett requested that Mr. McCue check out the references. Mr. McCue noted he is aware of the company from the other towns he has worked, but he will do additional checking. Mr. Mitchell inquired about lack for production with the Middleboro solar field. Ms. Glynn explained the contract provides for 85% production guarantee every year. If issues arise, they will get the system back on line as soon as possible and cover the costs. So voted.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Hickey)
Feb 13Approve the one day Liquor licenseMotion: to approve the one day Liquor licensePassed 4–0 · Abstained: FitzGerald-Kemmett
February 13, 2018: Approve the one day Liquor license
To approve the one day Liquor license
Yes: Hickey, Howard, McGahan, MitchellAbstained: FitzGerald-Kemmett
From the minutes
“MOTION by Howard, second by Mitchell to approve the one day Liquor license Voted 4 – 0 – 1 FitzGerald-Kemmett.” (Motion: Howard, second: Mitchell)
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.
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