Hanson Planning Board Sends Four ZBA Applications Forward, Cites Safety and Aesthetic Concerns

HANSON — May 11, 2026 — Hanson Planning Board unanimously forwards four zoning applications to the ZBA, flagging safety and aesthetic concerns. Acting Chair Kevin Cohen led the four-member board — with Andrew Campbell absent — through a 4-0-1 approval of all referrals at the May 11 meeting. The most debated item was a proposal by Timothy Macquarie to build two 7,400-square-foot buildings for his towing and auto engineering operation at 84 Liberty Street, where the board raised concerns about outdoor vehicle storage, industrial aesthetics near the middle school, and the risk of the space becoming a rental bay complex; the referral passed favorably with conditions. A second application from Candyland Ice Cream, LLC, to add an outdoor beer and wine garden at 165 Liberty Street drew questions about pedestrian safety across a shared parking lot and whether alcohol and ice cream service hours would overlap. Town Planner Jay Bennett also reported that two electric vehicle charging stations with four ports are now active at Town Hall at $3 per hour, and that a $4,216.75 invoice to Verdantis for the Main Street sidewalk grant was approved.