Hanson Select Board Signs Town Meeting Warrant, Approves Executive Separation

HANSON -- April 15, 2025, Hanson Select Board approved the separation of its executive secretary and signed the annual town meeting warrant ahead of a May 5 override vote. The board unanimously approved the departure of Executive Secretary Lynn McDow and signed the 29-article warrant, which includes a $275,000 free-cash appropriation for anticipated legal costs if the Attorney General sues over the town's MBTA Communities Act non-compliance, a proposed water department enterprise fund, and a town clerk salary increase from $80,000 to $82,400 for FY26. Formal recommendations will be withheld until the April 29 meeting pending Finance Committee input. The board confirmed three public budget forums, April 22 and April 30 at Hanson Middle School and April 24 at the senior center, with school Superintendent Simonac committed to providing representation and materials. Select Board Chair FitzGibbon said the forums are "not trying to sell anybody on anything, just the facts," and noted a consultant-driven 40R zoning plan is advancing on a parallel track as a potential alternative to MBTA Communities Act compliance.