ATOTW Archive

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

It’s the holiday season and the good news in Hanover just keeps on comin’!

Just in time to complete your holiday shopping – the Hanover Foundation for Educational Enrichment has the perfect gift for your child’s favorite teachers.  HFEE’s Golden Apple Recognition Awards will be on sale at the Newcomers annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 6, at the Hanover Middle School.  For a donation of $10 students can present these attractive holiday cards to a teacher who has made a difference in their lives, acknowledging their dedication, hard work, and excellence.  What better way to honor a respected teacher while also supporting a worthwhile cause!  All proceeds from this event go to the Foundation’s grants program for the benefit of all students in the Hanover Public Schools.  For additional information please contact HFEE President Jill Joy at 781-826-3599.  The Foundation is very grateful for your contributions and support.

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

For the first time in recent memory, the Hanover High School football team has earned the privilege of playing in a post-season bowl game, the Paul Revere Bowl!  Hanover will play Dual County League runner-up Bedford at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.  The Bedford Buccaneers were also the co-champions of the Dual County League Small Division.  After a big win for Hanover against Norwell on Thanksgiving, can the Indians top off an already great season with one more victory?  Good luck, guys!

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

I watched with interest as the former Raymond’s Home and Carpets on Route 53 transformed into a church this past year.  I recently received my first communications from the folks who performed the much needed facelift and am pleased to welcome them to Hanover.

Living Hope Church will be sponsoring a ‘Live Nativity’ on Saturday evening, December 13th, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  This will be an evening filled with music, a live nativity with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, live entertainment, a petting zoo, coffee, hot chocolate, baked goods, children’s activities and holiday music by the Living Hope Church Choir.  Children’s activities include face painting and assorted arts and crafts.  The event is free and the community is invited.  For more information, go to www.livinghope4square.org .

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

On Saturday, December 6th, at 7 p.m. (rain date is December 7th) the Smith Family is hosting their 5th annual tree lighting for juvenile diabetes.  Come enjoy the lights, music, raffles and treats.  They are located at 428 King Street in Hanover.

Their son Michael was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes on December 9th, 2003.  Since then, the Smith Family has lit a Christmas tree in their yard (along with lots of other decorations and lights) to help raise money and make people aware of Type 1 diabetes.  So far they have raised approximately $9,000 with the help of lots of family, friends and kind and generous residents of Hanover.  Each donation gets us closer to finding a cure.  100% of the proceeds from the tree lighting will go to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease.  In a child with Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes) the pancreas does not produce insulin, a hormone necessary to sustain life.  Without insulin the sugar in the blood can’t be used.  It builds up in the bloodstream even while the body is starved for energy.  A person with Type 1 diabetes must take one or more injections of insulin daily to stay alive.  Insulin, however, is not a cure.  It is only a means of controlling the disease.

So bundle up and come enjoy the lights, music and atmosphere and get in the Christmas spirit!   If you can’t make it, the Smith family welcomes you to take a stroll in their yard anytime!

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

Our landmark and beloved Stetson House will usher in the holiday season next weekend, too.  This is the 26th year that the Stetson House has been welcoming Christmas to Hanover.  The theme this year is “Santa Claus is coming to Town”.  There are four opportunities to enjoy the fruits of the labors of literally scores of Hanover residents, as follows:

Friday, December 5th, 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. – Preview party at the Stetson House before the 8:00 p.m. holiday concert by the Harbor Choral Arts Society at the Congregational Church.  Tickets are $10 each, limited, and include refreshments afterwards.  They can be purchased at the John Curtis Library or the Town Clerk’s Office.

Saturday, December 6th, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Open House in conjunction with the Greens Sale (best wreaths, topiaries and centerpieces in town…and all proceeds benefit the Stetson House!).  For years my family and I went from the Stetson House over to see Santa at the library…a great combination!

Sunday, December 7th, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Open House in conjunction with the Greens Sale (best wreaths, topiaries and centerpieces in town…and all proceeds benefit the Stetson House!)

Monday, December 8th, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Additional Evening Opening – your last chance to see the Stetson House in its Christmas finery!

Hope you enjoy the beginning of the holiday season at Hanover’s Stetson House as much as I do.  ?

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

Santa makes a return visit to the children of Hanover next weekend!  On Saturday, December 6th, 2008, Santa will arrive in front of the John Curtis Library at 3:45 p.m.  This delightful Hanover tradition, sponsored by those great guys in the Hanover Lions Club, is capped off by the Christmas tree lighting, hot chocolate, and live music. 

My family and I attended this event for years, and I am here to tell you that it is one of the holiday season’s highlights.  Don’t miss it!

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

Hope you and yours enjoyed Thanksgiving!  I am just back from a delightful extended Thanksgiving vacation on the (much warmer) North Carolina coast with my family and mom.  It’s great to be home, though.

Forgive me if you have heard the following terrific news already, but I could not pass up the opportunity to make sure you heard some of the rationale behind it, too.  It truly speaks to the power of our community.  Suffice it to say that I was more than pleased to receive the following e-mail from our Town Planner!

Cathy & All –

Thanks for your kind thoughts.  You (and so many others) have been MUCH too kind with your praise.  I did not even have the time to tell everyone I was leaving and their appreciation came out of the woodwork.  If I’ve done some small part to encourage collaboration and planning for our common future, that would be much.

If you have not already heard, the Board of Selectmen successfully talked me out of leaving – at the very last minute even.  As expected this comes with a new financial arrangement, but also expanded job duties and leadership roles.  We can talk in more depth when you have a chance, but I did want to thank the many people who have been so gracious about my impending departure.  I was already out the door and did not expect this unusual turn of events.  I had set up a starting date of December 1st, and various administrative issues with Braintree, and changing those was difficult for me.  I looked forward to working in a larger community with different development pressures as well as a Mayoral form of government.  But perhaps more difficult would have been leaving the many people and projects I’ve enjoyed here.  A good planning process may be universal, but a sense of community is not.  ATOTW is one example of that.  I hope to serve “Hanoverians” in the years to come – the best of my abilities – and in a greater leadership role.

In the next few weeks I’ll catch up with everyone on this news, finish projects we’ve been working on, start new ones, and help wherever I can to encourage coordination and mutual support for our public initiatives.  I am a big believer in team work and public service.  Town government – as shown by so many of you – is central and indispensable.  I look forward to helping all involved address the long term recommendations identified in Hanover’s Master Plan.  The Town will need some assistance and leadership with the coordination of economic development goals, preservation initiatives, housing and other planning issues.  I consider it an honor and a duty to do more in the coming months and years to assist you – as residents – in preserving and improving this community for future generations.

Again, you have all been much too kind.  I can only hope to serve you better moving forward.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warm Regards –
Andy

Andrew R. Port, AICP, Town Planner
Department of Municipal Inspections
Town of Hanover, 550 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339
 
Phone (781) 826-7641
Fax #  (781) 826-5950
Email planning@hanover-ma.gov
Web   www.hanover-ma.gov

I am so pleased for Andy, and for the Town of Hanover.  Kudos to our Selectmen for keeping him here; further congratulations to all of YOU for making Hanover a terrific place that people want to work in…and stay working in.  ?

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

Please join me in wishing Hanover’s Town Planner Andrew R. Port well as he departs his position with us for the Town Planner’s job in Braintree.  I for one think that Andy has done a terrific job during his tenure here in Hanover, and I am very sad to see him go.  He has brought great insight and so many new ideas and technological innovations to planning in Hanover.  Of particular note has been the outstanding Master Plan process that produced our town’s “road map” for continued progress and smart growth in Hanover.  He’s been extraordinarily easy to work with and has gone above and beyond the call of duty on so many occasions.

Andy’s last day is Wednesday, November 26th.  Feel free to drop him a note at planning@hanover-ma.gov or stop by if you have a minute.  Good luck Andy, and thanks for your years of service to Hanover.  We are far better for it.

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

One question I am often asked concerns the possible introduction of Verizon Fios service here in Hanover.  So, I did a little digging and came up with the following Q & A from the town’s cable advisory committee.  It answers some questions, and raises others.  Of particular note is the public hearing on December 2nd at Town Hall.  Read on!

Frequently Asked Questions about Hanover’s Cable Contracts
Posted May 15, 2008
Revised November 15, 2008
Please be aware that the following are points that the Cable Advisory Committee is considering and that none of them will be finalized until contracts are negotiated.

We will be holding an Open Public Hearing on December 2 at 7:00 at Town Hall to discuss Verizon’s desire to become a cable provider to Hanover. Anyone wishing to learn more about their plans should attend.
Q1. Will Verizon be coming into town as a Cable Provider?
A. Verizon has submitted an application to become a Cable Provider to Hanover. We are currently reviewing their amended application, which is a response to our comments on their initial application.

Q2. When might a contract with Verizon be finalized?
A. We estimate that it will take until near the end of 2008 for a contract to be approved, assuming it will be approved. The process is a relatively lengthy one because of the negotiations involved. This has been typical of other towns so we do not anticipate a shorter negotiating period. Our intent is to move the process along as quickly as possible.

Q3. Will Comcast still be retained as a Cable Provider if Verizon is approved?
A. Comcast’s current contract expires in October 2008, so we will actually be in negotiations with them at the same time. We do not see any reason why the Comcast contract should not be renewed. But again, we will be negotiating with them as well.

Q4. What is there to negotiate with the Cable Providers?
A. One of the key services that was provided to towns in previous cable contracts was the use of a video studio. Previously, we shared a studio at Comcast’s facilities along with several other towns. Comcast will no longer provide the studio, but will provide funding for each town to develop its own studio and Public Education programming. The amount of this funding must be negotiated, based on many factors, including the number of anticipated subscribers, the needs of the town, etc. The negotiation of such support for a local studio is important because the residents of the Town need a local studio for coverage of Board of Selectmen and School Committee meetings, Town Meeting, and coverage of school and community events.

Q5. Where does this funding actually come from?
A. The funding is a pass-through fee from subscribers. The percentage can be up to 5%, however, it is frequently less than 5%. The funding is based on the negotiation of the cable franchise and the needs and interest in the community in having a video studio and services.

Q6. What video needs does Hanover have?
A. The Cable Advisory Committee has spoken with the Board of Selectmen, school committee, new high school building committee, historical society, senior center, clergy association, sports groups, and others. All have expressed an interest in having government and town meetings broadcasted, as well as a variety of other local programming related to their specific interests.

Q7. Where might a new studio be situated in Hanover?
A. We have spoken at length with the Hanover School Superintendent and Technology Director about locating the studio in Hanover High School. There it might be used as part of the school curriculum as well as a launching point for town video needs.

Q8, If the studio were in the high school, would the public have access to it?
A. We are anticipating setting up a non-profit corporation that would oversee the studio and ensure that the community had complete access to the studio. In fact, we are hoping that, given the training that students would receive, they would be able to provide a ready supply of volunteer help.

For responses to other questions, you may contact:
Bob Sigsby, Chairman, Cable Advisory Committee
sigsby@sigscom.com      781-826-3784
For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

The Town Manager Study Committee will sponsor the first in a series of public forums to gather input from the community regarding the establishment of a Town Manager/Board of Selectmen form of government on Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m., in the main hearing room at Town Hall.

At its meeting of July 21, 2008, the Board of Selectmen voted to create a committee of five citizens to study a Town Manger/Board of Selectmen form of government.  The committee includes two members appointed by the Board of Selectmen, two members appointed by the Town Moderator, and one member appointed by the Board of Public Works.  The committee is charged with producing a document in charter form to present to Town Meeting and eventually to the State Legislature which lays out a Board of Selectmen/Town Manager form of government for the Town of Hanover.  The Board of Selectmen would serve as a policy setting board and the Town Manager would implement those policies and manage the everyday activities of Town government.

The purpose of this forum is to offer residents the opportunity to learn about the process, ask questions, share concerns, and offer their opinions about what impact this proposed form of government would have on the community.  For further information, please contact Linda DiNardo, Chairperson, at 781-826-8019 or lldinardo@comcast.net.

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B