Dear fellow Hanoverians:<\/p>\n
I am delighted that one of our newest members of the Board of the
\nSelectmen, Vanessa O’Connor, has agreed to let me share this brief summary
\nthat she wrote regarding last night’s Town Meeting, as follows:<\/p>\n
“Thank you to all who participated in very successful Special and Annual
\nTown Meetings yesterday. Starland and the Town put in a great deal of work
\nto provide a safe space to hold the meeting.<\/p>\n
Please see below for a brief summary of the key takeaways\u2014I note that the
\nbelow is by no means a comprehensive summary of the Meetings, which will be
\navailable to watch on demand through HCTV and are currently available on
\nthe Town Facebook page.<\/p>\n
Article 7. Community Preservation Home Rule Act: FAILED<\/p>\n
This Article was to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the
\nGeneral Court of the Commonwealth to enact a Home Rule Act temporarily
\n(from 7\/1\/2020 to 6\/30\/2022) reducing the Community Preservation Act
\n(\u201cCPA\u201d) Surcharge from 3% to 1.2% (or the minimal amount require to
\ncover existing obligations). The purpose of the Article was to afford
\ntemporary relief to Hanover residents arising out of COVID-19 and the
\nresulting impact on the overall economy. The motion failed, meaning the CPA
\nSurcharge will remain at 3%.<\/p>\n
Article 8. General Fund Operating Budget: PASSED<\/p>\n
While several amendments were proposed to the Budget, this motion
\nultimately passed as presented in the Warrant. The FY2021 budget represents
\nthe lowest yearly percent real estate tax increase for the average
\nhomeowners in 12 years. While Free Cash is being used to balance the
\nBudget, we will continue to meet our goal of maintaining a 3%-5% reserve.
\nWe will continue to face immense challenges relating to the economic
\nramifications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as we prepare the FY 2022
\nBudget.<\/p>\n
As the issue of C&D disposal came up during the debate on this Article, I
\nnote that while today remains the final day that the Transfer Station will
\naccept C&D waste, the issue will likely be revisited by the Board of
\nSelectmen this year. It is clear that many residents want this service back
\nbut we face the challenges posed by abuse of C&D disposal by both residents
\nand non-residents as well as the high cost incurred by the town to dispose
\nof C&D material.<\/p>\n
Article 25. Petition General Court – All Alcohol Beverage Licenses for
\nDemoulas Supermarket: FAILED<\/p>\n
This Article sought to have the Town petition the General Court of the
\nCommonwealth to adopt special legislation granting the Board of Selectmen
\nauthority to issue an off-premises liquor license to the owners of the
\nMarket Basket coming to Hanover Crossing. After a lengthy debate, the
\nmotion failed.”<\/p>\n
Thanks, Vanessa, for this summary. I hope it is the first of many
\ncollaborations between you and ATOTW!<\/p>\n
For “Around Town on the Web”,
\nCathy H-B<\/p>\n
—
\n“Around Town on the Web” (“ATOTW”) has been a valued push notification
\nsince the spring of 2004 – long before there were push notifications!<\/p>\n
For submission guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions about
\n“ATOTW”, please go to
\nhttp:\/\/atotw.com\/maillist\/lt.php?tid=xodILJYEv7y5AydNykl3Xq7LGx\/jCKMXul4SVkVaZlRoqLt7nDN4RqoN783ZLADJ
\nTo search for archived “ATOTW” news, view the archive<\/p>\n
.
\nIf you would like to be added to this distribution list, click here<\/p>\n
.
\nPlease follow the link in the response e-mail to validate your account. You
\nwill not receive “ATOTW” e-mails until you complete this step.
\nIf you would like to be removed from this distribution list, click here<\/p>\n
.<\/p>\n
— powered by phpList, www.phplist.com —<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dear fellow Hanoverians: I am delighted that one of our newest members of the Board of the Selectmen, Vanessa O’Connor, has agreed to let me share this brief summary that she wrote regarding last night’s Town Meeting, as follows: “Thank … Continue reading