HANSON – The Select Board, meeting at Needles Lodge, Camp Kiwanee on Tuesday, Nov. 19, held the annual tax classification hearing, opting unanimously to continue Hanson’s tradition of adopting a single tax rate for fiscal 2015.
Assessor Denise Alexander, in introducing herself and Board of Assessors Chair Patricia O’Kane urged residents to consult the Assessors’ page on the town website – hanson-ma.gov – for more information, or to follow along with the classification hearing.
She informed the board that Hanson’s excess levy capacity for fiscal 2025 is $3,946.58.
“The purpose of the classification hearing is to determine whether the town of Hanson will continue to [use] a single tax rate for all classes of property, or split the tax rate, shifting the burden toward commercial/industrial and personal property,” Alexander said. “We are here to present the information complied by our office for allocating the percentage of levy to be borne by each property class.”
The Select Board voted on three points:
Deciding between a uniform or a split tax rate;
Whether or not to adopt the residential exemption; and
Whether or not to adopt the small commercial exemption.
Based on current information available to the Assessors’ Office calculations, the tax rate is at $13.3 per thousand, as a single rate, which coincidentally, is exactly the rate the town had last year, according to Alexander.
The primary tax class in Hanson is primarily residential, she noted – 93 percent. Commercial, light industrial and personal property make up the remaining 7 percent.
“Hanson has such a small rate of commercial property, that adopting a split rate would shift the larger burden onto commercial, industrial and personal property owners,” Alexander said. “The Hanson Select Board has always voted to maintain a single tax rate for this reason.” She also said that the Board of Assessors have voted to recommend a uniform tax rate for fiscal 2025 for this reason.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea at all,” Vice Chair Ann Rein said when Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett asked if any board members wanted to entertain dividing the tax rate to exact more in taxes from commercial and industrial taxpayers.
“Historically we’ve never done that because, frankly, we want to do whatever we can to welcome businesses here,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
The Select Board voted unanimously to continue with the status quo.
The Board also voted against a residential exemption on the Board of Assessors’ recommendation.
Alexander said there has been a recent jump in the values of such properties. Between 2023-24 there was a 9 to 10 percent increase in those properties’ values, but there was only a 3-percent increase in the past year.
“This is something we hear all the time, ‘They keep increasing our taxes, they’re increasing our taxes,’” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “Can you address that, because the tax rate is not increasing.”
“The tax rate’s not changing,” Alexander said. “The values are increasing due to the sales in town … Because the values are going up, everybody’s values are going up.”
FitzGerald-Kemmett also said she has heard residents complain that Hanson is increasing property values more than other surrounding towns, and asked Alexander how the valuations are arrived at.
“The deeds are proof of the value,” Alexander said. “Based on the qualified sales only – we don’t use private sales and foreclosures – once we have the qualified values set, it is an algorithm that our appraisal company has. Even the value of the land is done that way.”
FitzGerald-Kemmett also noted that the residential exemption is usually used by communities with a high rate of rental properties.
The board unanimously voted in support of the Board of Assessors in declining residential exemption in Hanson.
A small commercial exemption applies to small businesses doing under $1 million in business each year, with less than 10 employees. But the tax break goes to the building not the businesses. Hanson has 23 small businesses that occupy their properties, but they don’t own them. There are only about 15 businesses in town that would benefit, according to Alexander.
Maintaining a uniform tax rate benefits all businesses, FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
The board unanimously voted against using the small commercial exemption.
School Committe honors Fred Small
The family of the late Fred Small, who died in July after having served on the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee for several years, attended the Nov. 13 meeting to receive a plaque honoring him.
Supertintendent of Schools Jeff Szymaniak presented the plaque to the Small family, reading the inscription aloud: “In appreciation for your years of committed and dedicated service to the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District, 2012- 2024.”
“I also have his nameplate,” Szymaniak said. “You’ve got to keep his nameplate.”
He also presented the family with a letter, a copy of which they had already received, from fellow member Stephen Bois regarding the Chromebooks he donates to the district in Small’s name.
School Committee Chair Beth Stafford offered some remarks of remembrance for Small, as well.
“Fred and I have gone back many, many years – as a chair of the negotiation team with Fred on the other side, to being on the same team with him on the School Committee,” Stafford said. “Fred and I would disagree on many points, but there was always great respect, and with that great respect came a bond within the last couple of years … that I find very difficult now that he’s not here.
“I relied on Fred to give me background on past information – what happened – so we miss him this year with the negotiations because he was there though a lot of why this happened and why that happened,” she said. “He put his everything into the School Committee. He was so concerned with what went on with the children of the towns and with everything on the School Committee.
“He was always in touch with the Legislature, letting us know what bill was being done and what was happening next and where we should go,” she said. “He is a great loss, not only to his family, but to our family here at the Whitman-Hanson School Committee.”
Former School Committee Chair Bob Hayes also spoke during the brief ceremony.
“Bob Hayes would also like to say a few words … if he can say just a few words,” Stafford quipped. “I don’t know – Bob has a hard time with just a few.”
He offered what he described as a quick snapshot of Fred Small.
“Fred started on the Building Committee for this very beautiful building that we’re in.” Hayes said. “He served for many years, advocating for this building – whether it was holding signs downtown, because we had a couple of failed building [efforts], and Fred was always on it like a hornet.
Then he recalled how Small had called him to ask what he thought about Fred’s running for School Committee.
“I said, ‘I don’t know, Fred, it could go either way,’” Hayes recalled. “Fred started that journey in 2012 and he served four three-year terms. Fred was in his fifth term – he had just been re-elected when he passed.
“He called me two weeks before he passed – and this will tell you how much he was just all about Whitman-Hanson – he said, ‘Bob, what should I do? We’ve got this going on, and that going on,’ because he was the chair of the Whitman Middle School Building Committee, and I said, ‘Fred, do what you think?’ That’s the type of guy Fred was. It was right here,” he said, pointing to his own heart.
Members of Small’s family were too emotional to say anything.
Thank you for coming tonight and letting us honor Fred,” Stafford said.
– Tracy F. Seelye
Overseas study opportunities for high schoolers
Qualified high school students are offered a unique opportunity to explore the world by spending an academic year, semester or summer in Europe, Asia, North or South America, Australia or South Africa as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program. A non-profit, public benefit organization, ASSE is dedicated to promoting closer ties of friendship between the United States and other countries.
Students, 15 to 18 years old, qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references and a genuine desire to experience life abroad with a volunteer host family. Prior knowledge of the host country’s language is not a requirement. Scholarships are available Contact ASSE at 1-800-677-2773, visit www.asse.com or send an email to [email protected] for more information.
Families abroad are carefully screened, and students do not need to know the language of the host country prior to departure but will acquire the language skills through experiencing the day-to-day local culture and attending regular high school classes along with their new teenage friends.
ASSE also provides the experience of a lifetime to American families who are interested in hosting an international student from Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Thailand, Japan, and many other countries. These exceptional young students will attend the local American high school for an academic year or semester.
Students or families interested in learning more about becoming an ASSE exchange student or host family should contact ASSE at 1-800-677-2773, visit www.asse.com or send an email to [email protected].
Tournament time
The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team is moving on.
The Panthers opened the MIAA Division 2 tournament with a 3-0 preliminary round win over Southeastern Regional on Sunday, Nov. 3. Keira Manchester put the Panthers on the board when she redirected an Elizabeth Kowlski corner kick into the back of the net. Kowlski would double the lead with a blast from 25yds out that found the top of the net. The score remained 2-0 until Madeleine Fitzgerald headed home another Kowlski corner. Anna Schnabel was outstanding in the midfield while the back line of Milly Mahoney, Brooke Bell, Shelby Bell and Caleigh Mahoney kept Southeastern from getting many shots off on Keeper Addison Hughes (two saves).
After posting its best regular season ever, girls’ volleyball fell to Hingham 3-2 (24-26, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15, 13-25) in the first round of the Div. 2 state tournament on Friday, Nov. 1. Seniors Brooklyn Buchanan and Sophie Ennis led the team with 12 kills each, while fellow senior Andrea Mulligan contributed nine. Buchanan and Senior Captain Brianna Eddy each added four aces for the Panthers. Other key contributors included senior Captains Caroline Gray and Hazel Carew, along with Sejuniors Molly Geddis, Leah Barnett, and freshman Nguyen Vo. The Panthers finished their season with a 15-4 record.
On the football field, Whitman-Hanson dropped their regular season finale to Marshfield 39-7.
Austin Breheny scored the Panthers lone touchdown.
Defensively the Panthers were led by Brady Markowski (7 tackles) and Bobby Walker (5 tackles). DeVaughn Marshall added a fumble recovery and Bryan Caliman had a sack.
Friends of Whitman Library hold membership drive
The Friends of the Whitman Public Library is currently conducting its 2025 Membership Drive. Memberships start as little as $5 for a Senior, $10 for an Individual, or $15 for a Family.
Membership forms are available in the library, on the Friends Table, and also online at WhitmanPublicLibrary.org under “Get Involved” and on the Friends Facebook page at “Friends of the Whitman Public Library.”
Members receive Preview privileges of book sales, the Friends Newsletters, and coupons or discounts at participating fundraisers.
If you do not wish to become a member at this time, a donation in any amount is always appreciated.
A donation can be made in memory of someone or in recognition of a special occasion, anniversary, or other event. These donations will also be acknowledged in our Newsletters.
Volunteers are needed in setting up many of the fundraisers. You can be involved as much as you are able.
All donations support the Whitman Public Library’s programs including performers, crafts, and other items needed but not included in regular Town funding.
Thank you for considering becoming a member or volunteer of the Friends or the Whitman Public Library!
Time to turn the page
In the nine and a half years since Donald Trump descended his golden escalator, he has come to define American politics for the worse. After announcing he candidacy for President he immediately characterized people coming from Mexico as rapists bringing drugs and crime. Though he did qualify that “some…are good people.” Once elected, his inaugural address painted a bleak picture of “American carnage” that seemed lifted from a dystopian novel. He framed his tough guy persona as the solution, famously stating: “I alone can fix it.”
One can only ratchet up the temperature so far before “very fine people” begin to march on Charlottesville, spewing antisemitism and carrying torches. Before encouraging anti-vax mobs to “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” leads to a foiled plot to kidnap and execute the governor. Before urging the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” and inviting your followers to a “Big protest in D.C. on Jan. 6. Be there, will be wild!” results in a seditious conspiracy to overturn the results of an election. Of course, Trump’s actions preceding the violent mob’s assault on our Capitol would lead to his second impeachment, the resignation of a dozen members of his staff, and a federal criminal indictment in D.C.
And since that time his rhetoric has only grown darker. In 2022 he called for the termination of the Constitution to potentially reinstate himself as President. He joked about the assault on Nancy Pelosi’s husband. He referred to America as an “occupied country,” to Aurora Colorado as “invaded and conquered” and to the “bad genes” of migrants. He promised to seek retribution against his critics, at times suggesting the Justice Department or even the military would be used against “the enemy within,” referring to his political opponents. To Donald Trump, Jan. 6 is now “a day of love” and he speaks of those who stormed the Capitol using an inclusive “we.”
It’s really no surprise that his former Defense Secretary, Mark Esper, has called him a “threat to democracy,” or his former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Mark Milley, called him “fascist to the core” and “the most dangerous person in this country.” His first Defense Secretary, James Mattis, concurred with Milley. His former Chief of Staff, John Kelly, said Trump is “a person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.” In total, half his cabinet, including Vice President Pence—the people that watched him do the job for four years— are not endorsing him.
Trump’s third campaign for President is an intensified version of his first: the world is a scary place, and we need a strongman. But this time, the Supreme Court has said he is immune from prosecution for “official acts.” The adults in the room during his first term have all been replaced with a squad of opportunists and yes men riding his coattails. His allies have published Project 2025, a playbook aimed at consolidating power and edging the United States toward autocracy. We survived the first Trump term, and it ended with a violent mob storming the Capitol. Let’s not risk it again.
This democratic backsliding can only be defeated at the ballot box. I voted early last Saturday, and I voted for Kamala Harris.
Tough week for the home team
Whitman-Hanson football dropped a Patriot League battle with Hingham 27-6 on Thursday, Oct. 10.
After Hingham drew first blood to take the lead, 7-0, in the first quarter, Johnny Walker connected with Brady Markowski for a 40 yard touchdown for the Panther’s lone touchdown in the second quarter, but the extra-point kick was no good.
Markowski had 76 receiving yards on the night. Defensively, Walker (7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 blocked PAT) and Markowski (10 tackles, 1 TFL) also led the way. Lukas Hamilton added an interception.
Whitman-Hanson is back on the road this week as they take on Plymouth North.
The W-H girls’ soccer team dropped their Patriot league matchup with Duxbury 3-1, on Thursday, Oct. 10. Anna Schnabel finished a pass from Maddie Fitzgerald to send both teams tied 1-1 at the half. Despite great performances from Shelby Bell, Mya Andrews, and Keira Manchester the Panthers fell at home.
The boys’ soccer team traveled to Duxbury Oct. 10 in a league contest. Cam MacKay and Evan Gillespie were able to find the net off Joey Sousa and Finn McKenna assists, but the Dragons were able to put away 5 for a final score of 5-2. The Panthers were back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 15, hosting Marshfield in a league matchup that finished Rams 3 Panthers 1. Jayden Turocy netted his first of the season for Whitman-Hanson bringing it within one, but a third goal sealed the win for Marshfield. The Panthers are back in action at Hingham on Thursday.
Halifax Estates annual Craft Fair
Halifax Estates, 33 Redwood Drive, Halifax, will hold its popular annual Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Saturday, Oct. 12.
Vendors will be selling, handcrafted gifts, such as jewelry, personalized kids gifts, photography, as well as knitted and hand-sewn items. There will also be a raffle of a variety of crafted items and gift cards, just in time for the holidays. Lunch will be available. All proceeds are donated to ensure a happy holiday for any underprivileged children of Halifax.
Deadline nears for Hanson Cultural Council fall grant applications
Between Sept. 1 and Oct.16, 2024, the Hanson Cultural Council will accept applications from organizations, schools and individuals for grants to fund cultural activities in Hanson. These grants can support a variety of arts, science, and humanities projects, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.
This year’s allocation to Hanson from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is $8,800.
Past events include
• several museum passes,
- Channel Homestead Experience
- Mamasteph at the Hanson Public Library.
- A virtual visit with author Sarah Weeks
- School Celebrates its amazing humans took place at the Hanson Middle School.
- Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors took place at the All American Assisted Living.
- Matt York sings “Willie Nelson” at the Hanson Library and many more.
The Hanson Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils in the state of Massachusetts.
Applications and more information about the program are available online at Hanson – Mass Cultural Council.
Hanson Cultural Council taking 2024 applications
Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 16, 2024, the Hanson Cultural Council will accept applications from organizations, schools and individuals for grants to fund cultural activities in Hanson. These grants can support a variety of arts, science, and humanities projects, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.
This year’s allocation to Hanson from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is $8,800. Past events include: several museum passes; the Channel Homestead Experience; Mamasteph at the Hanson Public Library; a virtual visit with author Sarah Week; School Celebrates its amazing humans took place at the Hanson Middle School; Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors took place at the All American Assisted Living and Matt York sings “Willie Nelson” at the Hanson Library and many more.
The Hanson Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils in the state of Massachusetts. Applications and more information about the program are available online at massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/hanson.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 43
- Next Page »