HANSON — Selectmen finalized and signed warrant articles for the Oct. 7 special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and heard an overview of events being planned for the town’s 200th anniversary celebration next year.
Article 1 was completed, for settling unpaid bills — at a final number of $3,100.27 to be paid from free cash and $3,565 from retained earnings — was recommended by the board. Article 2, supplemental budget is still incomplete, with a recommendation vote now slated for Oct. 1.
Articles 7 and 8, pertaining to zoning map book ($25,000) and codifying of zoning bylaws ($5,000) were recommended by the board as figures were solidified.
Article 18, which would fund tree removal around Needles Lodge at Camp Kiwanee ($25,000), was held pending necessary information from an arborist.
Articles 20 (adding $50,000 to stabilization) and 21 (adding $25,000 to school stabilization) were both recommended to be funded by free cash by the board.
An article to issue an easement at 410 Woodbine Ave., previously held up because of a lack of monetary consideration, was placed on the warrant after selectmen reopened the warrant to include it as Article 26.
“Just today, I received a call from the bank, who wants to know what’s going on with Woodbine Avenue,” said interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini. She said a bank official indicated they would “see what they could do. … I’d rather at least have it on the warrant and see if we can negotiate it and get this put to bed. There are a few things I’d really like to get wrapped up before I retire — this is on the list.”
“I’m thrilled that they’re even considering it,” said Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett.
The polystyrene cup and plastic grocery bag ban articles (31 and 32) were recommended after town counsel completed some language revisions.
Chairman of the 200th Anniversary Committee Audrey Flanagan provided a month-by-month look at some of the community events planned by her committee. A calendar project organized by Selectman Matt Dyer, who used to serve on the Anniversary Committee, will include event dates, Flanagan said.
“We’ve met a little more frequently over the last month,” she said. “We talked about what makes sense and assigned project managers to each event.”
In February, a kickoff dinner and proclamation will mark the actual anniversary of the town at a location to be determined. The committee would like to use Camp Kiwanee, Flanagan said, but she noted that weather is a concern and discussions are still being conducted on that point.
In March, the Anniversary Committee will join the Hanson Business Network to hold the HBN’s annual St. Patrick’s Dinner at Kiwanee.
Historical talks are planned for May, in conjunction with the Hanson Historical Society at various locations around town. Members of the Mattakeesett tribe had met with the Anniversary Committee after the Wampanoag presentation at this summer’s fundraising dinner, and expressed an interest in participating in programs as the actual native American tribe that lived in what is now Hanson.
FitzGerald-Kemmett said they are also trying to connect the Mattakeesett tribe with the schools for a local history project.
Geocaching programs are also being planned in May.
There are discussions ongoing about a carnival in June, possibly with a Cape Verdean theme in recognition of the Cape Verdean contributions to the town’s history, according to FitzGerald-Kemmett.
An Old Home Day in July is planned as a “real traditional family day,” on the green with games such as sack races and egg-tosses. A food truck rodeo is being planned in August.
A parade is slated for September and, in October, an Oktoberfest Beer Garden event is being planned at a location to be determined. The year’s events wind down in December with the annual Holiday Fest on the Town Green with the Anniversary Committee joining in the planning.
Hanson 200 souvenirs are available on the Café Press website.