HANSON — Conflict of interest concerns were among the issues surrounding a proposed 40B development, which the Board of Selectmen discussed on Tuesday, June 29 during a review of the MassHousing determination of project eligibility for the Cushing Trails development off of Spring Street.

“The elephant in the room is that the chair of the Zoning Board is also the developer of this and there have been constituents that have raised concern about other members of the board being closely tied to this,” Selectman Joe Weeks said. “To not address that is a little naïve, so I think we have to find a way to have a joint meeting.”

Michael O’Shaughnessy, representing ZBA Chairman William Cushing who is also the project developer, said Cushing is going to recuse himself from the decision to the point where “I don’t expect he’s going to be at any of the hearings.”

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said that, since the ZBA is an appointed board — with an appointment slated for the same agenda — she expects them to “exercise their duties with as much impartiality as possible.” She also said she expected Cushing to recuse, but that other members of the ZBA, who have professional relationships with Cushing will still be participating in the meeting.

Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer also suggested that ZBA members call the Mass. Ethics line to get an opinion on the issue and that the town clerk be consulted to determine that the proper ethics paperwork had been filed.

“It’s not unusual for a developer to be a member of a local board, either,” said O’Shaughnessy. “It happens in every town.”

He said the MassHousing letter is the first step to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The state agency has asked the developer to address Selectmen’s concerns submitted during the commentary phase.

One was the board’s request that some units be designated as handicapped-accessible.

“The developer is going to work with whoever has a specific need for an ADA unit … to make sure the unit functions for him or her, and we’ll meet their needs,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Generally, just getting into the unit is the issue.”

Grades and ramps are usually the bigger issues, with interior adjustments such as larger doors and hallways also being accommodated.

FitzGerald-Kemmett asked at what point the work would be done and whether the ADA accommodation would be advertised.

“We’re happy to work with your Housing Authority if that’s the best way to make this known,” O’Shaughnessy said. “We’re willing to work with people to accommodate their needs, but we’re not advertising specifically as ADA.”

Selectmen also requested that the developer be more responsive to the local housing needs as identified in its approved 2019 Housing Production Plan, and designate a larger number of three-bedroom units as affordable.

“It kind of ran the gamut as to what your needs are,” O’Shaughnessy said of the town’s plan. “We were focused on providing two-bedroom units and the thought was … some people want to downsize and that’s why we’re pushing the two-bedroom units.”

State and local housing agencies have an agreement that 10 percent of units built must be three-bedroom units and that more were included in the proposal than originally planned because of the Selectmen’s request.

Traffic volume and safety concerns were among the most notable objections to the proposal from Spring Street residents and town officials. O’Shaughnessy said a traffic impact study was filed with the ZBA on Monday, June 28, which he said seems to indicate there will be no impact.

“But it’s a public document,” he said.

Recreational elements the Selectmen requested has been discussed.

“I don’t want to say no and I don’t want to say yes,” O’Shaughnessy said. “I’d like to address that with the ZBA as the permit process goes forward.”

“It seems that quite a few of these things are going to be deferred to the ZBA,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “I understand it’s under their jurisdiction, but yet I’m feeling as though we’re not going to have that opportunity to speak to ZBA, so I’m wondering if we could contemplate how we could open up that line of communication with ZBA to make sure our needs and the things we’ve heard from our constituents are being contemplated by the ZBA.”

Dyer suggested a joint meeting with the ZBA. FitzGerald-Kemmett also suggested an independent review might be advisable, especially of the traffic study.

O’Shaughnessy said the ZBA’s comment period, including an opportunity for the Selectmen to express concerns, would provide such opportunities. He said the ZBA hires its own consultant to review traffic impacts.

The developer has consulted with the Water Commissioners, as they were asked to do on the potential to make some improvements to the water line on Spring Street and is waiting to hear back. Drainage concerns regarding drainage impact on abutting properties have met town regulations, O’Shaughnessy said, but stressed he was not involved in that phase of the planning.

A sidewalk on one side of the street plan has also been eliminated to control drainage problems.

Weeks, who chaired the Planning Board when the Cushing proposal was introduced for eight houses, said it was not approved at that point because of water access issues and asked if they had documentation of the Water Commission saying that is no longer an issue. He said storm water management was also an issue with eight units and asked how it could be less of one with 40 units.

O’Shaughnessy said that discussion centered on replacing the line on Spring Street and not tying into the abutting street, but leaving it dead-ended for installing hydrants.

At the applicant’s expense a water line would be installed from Spring Street to the project, where there is currently no line.

O’Shaughnessy said reduction of impervious pavement and handling of all storm water on site should resolve the issue via above ground retention basin, the infiltration system will be below ground.

“Are there plans to have a collegial conversation with the abutters to try to speak to them about what their concerns may be before you go full-bore into it,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

“We’re happy to talk, and we’ll see if we can resolve the problem,” O’Shaughnessy said. “If we don’t know about it, we can’t do it.”

Selectman Jim Hickey said, while his knowledge of the drainage issue is limited, the idea of removing one of two planned sidewalks to improve drainage posed the question of why.

“Water runoff would be more of a concern if there was sidewalks on both sides,” he asked. “I’m glad I asked you this question now and not in the hallway [as O’Shaughnessy had suggested residents could do if they didn’t wish to speak in a meeting], because that makes absolutely no sense to me.”

HANSON — The town’s Police Department has seen many changes in the past year and a half, according to Police Chief Michael Miksch in his quarterly report to the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 15.

Many of those changes are due to the passage of the Police Reform Act, some of which was passed as emergency legislation.

“The governor signed it and they expected us to have everything done the next day,” Miksch said. “That was impossible. Some of them are being implemented in, but one of the first things that needed to be taken care of was a re-do and review of our Use of Force policy.”

Miksch said the effect of that provision wasn’t that bad for Hanson because the department had an up-to-date policy, meaning only minor changes were needed.

“I never thought I’d have to put into a policy that you can’t choke somebody, but I did,” he said. “I thought it was common sense — something that people should understand in Massachusetts. None of us had been trained that way.”

He said in the more than 26 years he has been a police officer that — choke holds, carotid artery holds — has never been taught to us,” Miksch said. “So, we never said, ‘Don’t do it,’ because you were never taught to do it in the beginning.”

The policy was updated in any case, with Lt. Mike Casey doing a lot of that work.

Grants made available to departments across the country through an executive order by President Biden also carried requirements for certain terms of service and policies, one of which governed use of force. The department had to undergo a state accreditation process to prove they had made such policy revisions.

The department received a letter on June 14 that its use of force policy met both federal and state standards. Miksch said his department also incorporates the policy in training between two and four times a year.

Officers will also need to be certified under the reform act. One effect of the requirement has Miksch busy with administrative tasks and he foresees some budgetary impact in future years, but for now the department is in good financial shape.

Personnel changes have also been dealt with and he thanked the town for approving the override to save officers’ jobs.

“We went to regional dispatch a year ago — last June,” he said. “With that, I lost three very dedicated civilian employees who, I’m very happy to say, have actually found other jobs and are working.”

One was moved to serve as Miksch’s administrative assistant and another was transferred to the police academy.

Sgt. Gene Andrews hired just before COVID hit last year, retired after more than 30 years on the department.

“Normally, we’d bring those people in with their families and thank them and bring in the new officers and swear them in,” Miksch said. “When Sgt. Andrews retired, it opened up a promotion and I was very proud to promote Jared Meegan as sergeant who, of course, is banished to midnights where all new sergeants go.”

Four new officers were hired in order to keep the station open after the civilian dispatchers were let go to regionalize that operation. Officers Corey Arsenault and Mario Thompson, who were present or former part-time officers in Hanson as well as Bobby Mansfield, from Oak Bluffs Police and Rick Bekerian from Hopedale were also hired. Officer Chris Dominguez left the department when he was offered a better salary from Braintree.

“Internally, there’s been a lot of changes,” Miksch said. “There’s been a lot of adapting, but overall, it’s going well.”

On a somewhat humorous note, Miksch said a lock is being installed on the door to the police station for the first time ever.

“There is no lock,” he said. “[It’s a] good and a bad thing. We never needed it — there was always somebody there to say, ‘Hi!’ We plan on keeping someone there to say, ‘Hi!’ but unfortunately, because of the nature of operations within the department, there’s a desk officer when you walk in, now.”

Whitman School Committee member Dan Cullity announced his resignation from the panel, effective June 30, during the Wednesday, June 9 meeting. He had already sent a letter to the committee indicting his intention to resign due to family issues that would limit his ability to devote significant time to the responsibilities of the office.

“It would not be fair to the district if I could not give it 100 percent,” he said, reading from the letter. “It was a tough decision that I was making.”

Cullity said his wife and family are his top priority.

“My biggest regret here is not seeing the fully funded kindergarten and, really, that’s a missed opportunity,” he said noting full-day pre-K is now the focus of lawmakers. “Every child deserves an education, not just the ones who can pay for it.”

He wished the rest of the committee success, hoping they have a great year.

The School Committee was scheduled to meet jointly with Whitman Selectmen on Tuesday, June 15 to discuss the process of appointing someone to fill the vacancy. [See story, page one]

“We know that’s a tough decision and we appreciate your commitment to the committee and we understand,” Chairman Christopher Howard said. “At least, I understand. For me, family always comes first.”

The Regional Agreement contains a provision that explicitly covers this type of situation, Howard said. If a vacancy arises, Selectmen and remaining committee members from the town concerned appoint a member within 30 days who will serve until the next election.

“Our collective charge at this point is to try and make sure that that group comes together,” Howard said, noting he wanted to limit discussion since the issue was not posted on the agenda.

The School Committee recognized Facilities Director Ernest Sandland as the recipient of this year’s Dr. John F. McEwan Do What’s Right for Kids Award, which recognizes an “unsung hero(s)” who is/are a member of the district staff or team demonstrating extraordinary vision, creativity, competence and execution of his or her job responsibilities. Margaret McEwan presented the award.

The award carries a cash award he can use for professional development or a project that benefits his department.

“John believed that a school is not a building, but a community of support that maximizes personal growth and development for all students and staff,” she said. “By providing a safe and protected learning environment to deliver in-person learning for students and staff, by improving the design of air flow with the installation of the I-Wave [ionized air filtration system]… and by reconfiguring classroom and office setup for social distancing during the COVID pandemic, I know that John truly valued Ernie Sandland.”

She said Sandland knew air quality would be an issue as soon as the pandemic began and started to research safe and effective ways to help with the problem.

“Due to Ernie’s early diagnosis, research and persistence, all classrooms and buildings were equipped before students arrived at the beginning of the school year,” she said, as many other school districts faced supply delays. It also helped with the agreement to a memorandum of understanding with the WHEA on working conditions for teachers during the pandemic.

The School Committee approved a new bus contract with First Student, done through a collaborative bid with Abington, according to interim Business Manager John Tuffy. The contracts were drawn up between the bus company and each individual town.

“We went out for a three-year bid with the fourth and fifth years being optional, and solely an option of us (W-H) as to whether we’d accept a fourth and fifth year,” Tuffy said. “That’s a decision to be made down the line.”

The bid process was open for a month, resulting in three inquiries, two organizations asking for bid packages and one bid — from current provider First Student. Tuffy said the package was affordable based on what was budgeted by the district and includes a first year increase of 5.7 percent; and increases of 3 percent in years two and three as well as increases of 3 percent if the district chooses to extend the contract to years four and five. He called the increases in line with what he has seen in other districts and were lower than the rate of increase after the last contract process when the first year increase was 9 percent; the year two and three increases were 4 percent and the last two years saw 3 percent increases.

Tuffy’s interpretation of contract language leads him to believe changes can be made later, if needed.

“I think there will be an additional conversation in the future pertaining to busing, but that doesn’t mean that we can hold off here,” Howard said.

Tuffy said the district is charged for the bus, not the number of runs a bus makes.

In other business, the committee discussed the establishment of a strategic plan working groups to work through the summer in an effort to coordinate budget efforts for next fiscal year. Some sessions would be open to the public.

“If we’re going to put the time in, it needs to turn into action,” Howard said. “It gives us a degree of organization and clarity.”

The first session will be an open meeting from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 23.

WHITMAN — Articles urging a ban on single-use plastic check-out bags and polystyrene food containers and beverage cups, sponsored by petition from students at WHRHS Environmental Awareness Club were approved at the Wednesday, June 2 annual Town Meeting.

The article borrowed from similar efforts passed in Hanson two years ago. The Whitman article provides businesses until January 2022 to prepare and gives the Board of Health discretion to permit more time for businesses up to six additional months.

The Bylaw Study Committee had voted to recommend that the article be passed over for further study to be brought before a future Town Meeting.

Former Town Administrator echoed that suggestion, arguing that it only came to the town 45 days ago. He wanted to give the town more time to research it.

“I want to recognize that a number of students have really worked at this, and I’m impressed with their commitment to their community and to sustainability, but, regrettably I’d like to make a motion to pass over this article,” Lynam said.

There was also some question about whether the students could speak at Town Meeting, but a previous article had resolved that issue, permitting non-voters to speak on articles they sponsor.

School Committee member Christopher Scriven spoke in favor of the article moving forward, asking what specific aspects of the articles were not clear.

“We don’t know what the businesses in town are prepared to do, or how easily or quickly they can make that transition,” Lynam said, also advocating that town counsel review and approve whatever language is used.

Selectman Justin Evans initially spoke for the students, before a point of order on the previous article’s passage opened the door for them.

“It may not seem like a big deal to you because plastic bags have been around as long as many of us can remember, but doesn’t it seem a bit sad that you frequently see the evidence of this problem when trying to enjoy a walk in our town?” Evans quoted from a statement the students wrote. “We’ve all seen a bag stuck in a tree or a coffee cup along the side of the road in a bush … it poses a risk to the natural world around us, one that we don’t feel we can responsibly ignore.”

Resident Shawn Kain made a motion to allow the students to speak, which was approved by the Town Meeting.

“Passing these articles would help improve our environment so greatly, even if we can’t see the effects now,” said Riley Getchel of Whitman, president of the environmental club. She noted that she is constantly reminded of the issue by a plastic bag stuck in a tree near her house.

“By making more environmentally friendly decisions, I’ve had a cleaner conscience, knowing I’m doing my part to protect the planet that provides for us,” said student Sarah Regan, who noted other materials could easily be swapped out for plastic.

Plastic also contaminates water supplies, never completely breaks down and effects 60 percent of towns in the state.

DPW Highway Superintendent Bruce Martin agreed that article is a great idea, because neither the bags nor the polystyrene cups and containers can go in recycle bins.

HANSON — The board of Selectmen, met in a joint session with the Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, June 1, discussing the proposed South Hanson Village Rapid Recovery Program, funded by a grant offered by the Mass Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHC).

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett also serves on the EDC. The full video meeting can be viewed on the WHCA-TV YouTube page.

The committee has been working with Planner Deb Pettey to apply for the state grant, which provided funding to hire Stantech Consultant Phil Schaeffing.

“There’s a lot of talk on social media about  of the Main Street corridor. “I just want to remind everybody, we’re talking about privately-owned property…we do try to encourage compliance.”

She said Stantech was going to boil down all the brainstorming done so far into an action plan, and that Tuesday’s meeting was an update on the consultant’s work so far.

“This is a project,” she said, warning against dreams of a quick-fix. “It’s a process that’s going to require cooperation from the businesses. It’s going to require support from the citizens. This is our first step.”

The grant would cover Main Street to Elm Street and Schaeffing,  who is an urban planner, said the Boston design firm was interested in the basic needs for the area and developing actionable recovery plans tailored to economic challenges.

There are 43 communities involved in the grant program, with Hanson’s centering on the Commuter Rail area. The June 1 meeting was the conclusion of the first phase of the program. It will be followed by webinars, consultations and discussions with subject matter experts before a final plan is presented in September.

Recommendations will be made in the public and private realms, revenue and sales, administrative capacity, tenant mix and the potential role of cultural/arts in town.

“We’re putting together, essentially, a road map that says, ‘Here are the projects, here are the potential funding sources, here are some of the responsible parties for these different projects … and kind of a time frame for it,’” Schaeffing said of the planning grant.

Priority areas for recommendations are: a community events and business resource guide, tech aide and outdoor events to showcase local businesses, with improved pedestrian and bike safety and improving the appearance of vacant buildings and business facades in the long term.

“We gave the overall study area a C,” Schaeffing said of sidewalks as well as crosswalks in the Commuter Rail area where pedestrian safety is concerned. Street lighting, meanwhile, earned an F. Signing also earned an F.

“Some of the key takeaways are a real need to make improvements, particularly to support pedestrian activity — improvements to sidewalks and providing amenities that don’t exist today, like street trees for shade in the summer and pedestrian lighting,” Schaeffing said of a recent survey of business owners and residents of the area.

Commuter Rail costs — $10.50 for a one-way Zone 6 ticket, or $340 per month — was another issue Schaeffing spoke of, especially in light of the potential long-term impact of COVID on business.

“There are a number of businesses — 63 in Hanson Village — it’s kind of hard to tell, because some of them are kind of hidden inside buildings that don’t necessarily have signage,” he said.

A handful of residents attended the meeting virtually to ask questions. One resident, viewing from home, asked how new businesses could be attracted to town.

Schaeffing said that, while different types of businesses have different needs, one help would be in creating the business environment where companies complement or support each other.

“Another is to figure out as a town what do we want this area around the Commuter Rail station to be?” he said. “Do we want sort of main street-type businesses to fill in some of the vacancies here, or do we see this as a service/commercial corridor?”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said the EDC has also heard from businesses that some of Hanson’s zoning bylaws “may not be super business-friendly.”

Another resident asked if grant or funding options have been looked into as a method of outreach to businesses to improve exteriors.

“We really need to figure out what we want to see as a town down there,” said Planner Deb Pettey, echoing what Schaeffing said. She said she has looked into block grants, but said Hanson is in a predicament where grants are concerned because of the town’s higher income compared to other competing communities.

Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer suggested that an economic anchor and a New England-themed recreation option are ways that the town — and the Final Plymouth County Hospital Reuse Committee in particular — are examining to draw people to the area.

Selectmen meeting

Selectmen voted to rescind the COVID state of emergency in town, effective June 15 in coordation with state guidelines ending on that date as vaccination goals are met. The board voted to extend outdoor dining permits until Dec. 1, however.

“I try to look for silver linings and in COVID, this was a silver lining, to try to help all these restaurants expand their footprint outside because there’s a lot of people even still who don’t feel comfortable eating inside,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said, noting that all restaurants in town said they had benefitted from it.

Dyer said the state would have to pass legislation before the towns are able to do so on a permanent basis.

Selectmen voted to approve a cannabis delivery service at Impressed LLC, meaning a potential additional $7 million, of which the town could impose a 3 percent local option tax, on top of the 3 percent tax the state collects and sends to the town, potentially meaning $420,000 annually for Hanson. The company had written a letter to the board requesting such consideration.

In fiscal 2020, recreational cannabis sales generated $122 million in taxes to the state, of which, $30.5 million was in sales taxes and $14.4 million in local tax options, according to Town Administrator Lisa Green.

“This is definitely a substantial revenue generator for municipalities that we really should consider supporting,” said Green, who said there is no time limit mentioned for the fee, which is on top of the impact tax. The Cannabis Control Commission would still have to approve the company’s application. The company will not be doing direct retail business in Hanson.

“People are going to be allowed to deliver cannabis to Hanson whether we allow Impressed LLC to do it or not,” FitzGerald-Kemmett noted, pointing to state law permitting it.

She also requested that the town seek an updated financial forecast from Impressed LLC.

“It’s a commerce entity,” Green said. “You really can’t stop them.”

Dyer asked about the potential for Selectmen getting a tour of the Impressed LLC business, which Green’s office said has been offered as an invitation to the board.

Selectman Jim Hickey, who had voted against the warrant article at last month’s Town Meeting, changed his position citing the potential funds for the town.

“I was wrong,” he said.

“You weren’t wrong, you just got more educated,” Selectman Kenny Mitchell said.

It’s going to be a busy week between Monday, May 31 and Sunday, June 6. Here’s a glance at the calendar on the wall:

Memorial Day

Whitman veterans will be gathering by 10 a.m., Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at American Legion Post 22, 33 Legion Parkway, setting off to visit all four Whitman Cemeteries starting with High Street. They will then travel to Zion, St. James and Colbrook cemeteries for ceremonies before ending with a ceremony at Whitman Park.

A breakfast will be served at Post 22 after the ceremonies.

Hanson will be conducting a Memorial Day service at Fern Hill Cemetery at 9 a.m., Monday, May 31. The 22nd Mass, Vol. Infantry honor guard, American Legion flag-lowering and Don Teague on bagpipes during the event. Prayers, speakers and Scouts honor the nation’s war dead. The names of Hanson veterans who have died in the past year will be read.

Town Meeting

Whitman’s annual Town Meeting has been changed to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 2 in the Town Hall auditorium as town buildings will reopen to normal pre-pandemic hours on June 1.

Graduations

WHRHS Scholarship Night will be streamed on June 1 over Whitman-Hanson Community Access TV.

W-H Community Evening School graduation is at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 3. It will be held indoors in either the Performing Arts Center or library.

High School commencement, 6 p.m., Friday, June 4. Each student receives six tickets for the reserved seating area during the outdoor ceremony, with the doors opening to general admission at 5:15 p.m.

South Shore Tech’s graduation is slated for 10 a.m., Saturday, June 5 at the school’s football field. The rain date is 2 p.m., Sunday, June 6. Graduates are limited to one car per family and streaming coverage will be available for those unable to attend. Two student speeches and an administrator address are planned.

As with last year’s graduation, students will form a procession by shop to receive their diplomas.

HANSON — Voters will see a proposed $1.8 million proposition 2 ½ override vote on the annual Town Election ballot on Saturday, May 15.

After an often-contentious Town Meeting held at the WHRHS gym on Monday, May 3, which drew more than 200 Hanson residents, budgets that can go into effect with or without the override were approved.

“We need the override to pull us out of a deficit that will not go away,” Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullvan said.

The crowd described by Town Moderator Sean Kealy as “larger than usual” observed a moment of silence for all residents lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barbara Arena was designated as deputy moderator, who with her assistants, helped ensure no one who wished to speak was missed as Kealy was not on a raised dais did not want to miss any resident who wished to speak.

The Town Meeting voted to approve two versions of the fiscal 2022 budget, one totaling $29,508,290 as recommended by the Finance Committee, to take effect if the Proposition 2 ½ override fails and one totaling $31,363,245 to go by should the override be passed at the ballot box.

“We’re voting on two budgets,” Kealy explained. “One budget if the article does not pass and Article 5 if the override does pass.”

Former Selectman Bruce Young advocated an amendment to the budget under discussion of Article 4, based on the argument that the override is necessary because of the schools, not public safety or other departments. He urged moving the budget requests to department request level and take the difference from the school department, where it belongs.

“I can’t sit here in good conscience and support a budget like this, knowing that the reason for the financial crisis … is basically because of the passage last year of the amendment to the regional school agreement that took us from the percentage of pupils method to this year to the statutory, or wealth-based method of assessment,” Young said. “The override belongs in the department where the reason lies. That’s the only reason my amendment is being made.”

Finance Committee Chair Kevin Sullivan suggested people take caution before voting yes on Young’s amendment. He explained that the town had voted for the statutory method last year, despite its not being recommended.

“I don’t like the thought of people losing their jobs. It’s not a pleasant thing,” he said. “We had to make some tough decisions. We went through this budget, given the guidance that the overwhelming population of the town presented us with. We made these cuts, not lightly … I think if we have to cut these public servants, it means trouble for our town.”

But, Sullivan also warned that, if they start changing line items, it opens up a quagmire where it would have to go back to the School Committee and would lead to a 1/12 budget and a super town meeting.

“We carved this budget with care,” he said.

The School Committee can return items that had been reduced if the budget is returned to them.

John Zucco of Glenwood Place, said Sullivan’s statement means the School Committee runs the town.

“The School Committee doesn’t control us, it’s just the facts of belonging to a regional school district,” Sullivan said.

Whitman has agreed to the number, he added.

“We didn’t do this lightly,” he said of the Finance Committee’s recommendation. “Unfortunately, this is where we are. We need this override to pull us out of a deficit that will not go away. It will only get exponentially worse year after year.”

Frank Milisi of Brook Street argued that the regional school district brings “massive amounts of aid from the state,” but agreed that the two towns should have equal representation on the School Committee.

But he also noted that Whitman has to “pay a piece of this bill.”

“To say that this whole situation is because of the school budget is not an accurate representation,” Milisi said. “Did the school budget do something to make this happen? Yes, but it’s definitely not the only reason for this to be happening.”

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes concurred with the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen. He said it is easy to say the situation is the School Department’s fault or to blame another town, referring to Whitman.

“These two towns have the lowest tax rates on the South Shore,” Hayes said. “I’m not in favor of huge tax rates, either, but if you want to continue services, there’s something of a misnomer that there’s something in this — it’s about a $1.85 million override for a municipality.”

Hayes said the school district has lost tons of employees over recent years, a situation getting worse all the time, while everyone blames the schools for budget problems.

“Police and fire have the same issues,” he said. “We are doing the same job — we service the biggest amount of people in town at 4,000 students roughly, employ the biggest number of people. …We need to continue on supporting all of our services.”

Joe O’Sullivan of West Washington Street moved the question, but Young was allowed to speak again before that happened. If the override passes, he promised to put a vote yes sign on his lawn.

Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell said the town’s bills are $31,366,000 to run the town, there is only $29,516,000.

“The override must go through in order to maintain town services,” he said, urging voters to reject Young’s amendment, speaking as an individual, said there is a possibility of a super town meeting if the override fails and that it require a two-thirds vote of the entire School Committee to pass a budget. The school budget was approved by an 8-2 vote.

“If you watched the meeting, the two opposed wanted, likely, a higher budget,” he said. “The likelihood of a budget coming back to the School Committee and being reduced by $3 million-plus is extremely low.”

The $3 million-plus figure represents the $1.3 million reduction to the operating assessment Young advocated, almost $2 million more in the whole budget would be affected, Howard explained.

Young’s motion was rejected by voters, with the original $29,508,290 budget Article 4 approved.

Article 5 was also passed after another heated debate between Young and Sullivan, with the $31,363,245 bottom line, including the $1.85 million override passes.

Sullivan said the override was aimed to prevent starting the next fiscal year in a deficit.

“Our job is to ensure the financial well-being of this town, looking at where we are and where we’re going,” Sullivan said. “The School Committee made some small cuts — in the grand scheme of their budget, they are small cuts — these cuts may not be there next year, so we looked at setting us off on a level footing for next year.”

Sullivan said the number presented to the town was what the Finance Committee felt was needed to put Hanson on a level footing next year, with any unencumbered balances going into free cash the following year.

Young expressed umbrage that $305,000 was being added to the School Committee’s certified assessment at Town Meeting. He sought to amend it to reflect the School Committee’s certified assessment of $12,646,118.

Town Meeting voters rejected Young’s amendment and approved Article 5 as presented in the warrant.