Hanson Planning Board Continues ANR, Hears Open Space Plan Progress Update

HANSON — February 24, 2025 — Hanson Planning Board advances open space plan and hears MBTA unfunded mandate ruling at reduced-quorum session. Meeting with only three of five members present, the board on February 24 received a progress update from VHB urban planners Julia Minz and Christa Magaha on the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan, including results from three stakeholder interview sessions and the launch of a community survey targeting several hundred responses. Town Planner Tony reported the town filed its MBTA Communities Action Plan on February 12 and is now in interim compliance, unlocking two One Stop grants including one tied to a town-owned parcel at 212 Industrial Boulevard for a resource-area site assessment. Tony also flagged a February 21 State Auditor letter — prompted by a request from Wrentham — ruling the MBTA Communities Act an unfunded mandate, a finding that could allow municipalities to seek a Supreme Judicial Court exemption from compliance requirements before the July 14 deadline. The board continued a Pleasant Street ANR hearing to March 10 and the open space plan public hearing to April 14.