Hanson Select Board Defers Housing Mortgage Vote After Legal Concerns Arise

HANSON -- June 30, 2026, Hanson Select Board defers housing mortgage vote and clears three routine items at special session. The board convened the special June 30 meeting specifically to discharge the mortgage at 533 Main Street, the LZ Thomas property held by the Hanson Housing Authority, but stepped back after town counsel raised legal concerns and the Housing Authority's own attorney acknowledged a possible miscommunication about the deadline, saying the vote could likely wait until the next regular meeting. One board member noted that "probably is not very good when it comes to town government" when assessing the Housing Authority counsel's reassurance. The board did approve a $2,000 transfer from the library's clerical support line to its gas utilities account, citing elevated energy costs affecting town buildings, and voted unanimously to appoint Richard Eldridge as a special police officer and to reappoint Scott Rothwell to the Economic Development Committee, both effective July 1, 2026.