By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.co
HANSON – A lengthy agenda of business planned for executive sessions on Tuesday, Oct. 15 curtailed the open meeting agenda – with eight items of new business, a license hearing, a one-day liquor license approval, seven committee reports and the town administrators’ report scratched off the list of topics for discussion and/or action.
“We have an extremely abbreviated agenda this evening,” Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said, as she opened the meeting.
What business was covered were votes on a reserve fund transfer for repairs at the food pantry and approval and signing of the State/Presidential Election Warrant.
The Hanson Food Pantry, Town Administrator Lisa Green reported, had recently sustained some $19,000 in water damage.
“We needed to have a company come in to do any further damage assessment,” she said. “They brought in dehumidifiers and dryers to dry all the water up. The cost of that was about $19,000. In our Municipal Buildings, Maintenance and Repair line there’s only $20,000. Paying this company would have depleted that line completely.”
She said that asking for the reserve fund transfer, which the Finance Committee approved Oct.7, would be used to replenish that fund so the town will have money for any needed municipal maintenance over the rest of the fiscal year.
“Is it true that there’s ARPA money that’s going to be [available]?” FitzGerald-Kemmett asked.
Green said it is currently in the third phase of the review process.
“I am hoping to hear some very good news on that funding very shortly,” Green said.
The Board approved the transfer 4-0-1, with FitzGerald-Kemmett abstaining since she also serves on the Food Pantry board.
Nov. 5 State/
Presidential
Election Ballot
After Board Clerk Ed Heal read the Election Warrant, the Board voted to sign it.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Tuesday Nov. 5, for all three of the town’s precincts, at the Hanson Middle School for the State/Presidential Election which includes the following offices and questions:
- Electors of the President and Vice President of the United States;
- Senator in Congress;
- Representative in Congress for the 9th District;
- Governor’s Councilor for the 2nd District;
- Senator in General Court for the 2nd Plymouth and Norfolk District;
- Representative in General Court for the 5th Plymouth District;
- Representative in General Court for the 6th Plymouth District;
- Register of Deeds for the Plymouth District;
- Clerk of Courts for Plymouth County;
- County Commissioner for Plymouth County and
- Register of Probate.
Ballot questions include; - Question 1 – Initiative petition to specify that the state Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.
A YES vote would specify that authority.
A NO vote would make no change relative to the state Auditor’s authority. - Question 2 – Initiative petition to eliminate the requirement that students pass the MCAS exam to graduate high school.
A YES vote would eliminate the requirement, but would still require students to complete course work to meet state education standards.
A NO vote would make no change in the graduation requirements. - Question 3 – Initiative petition on unionization for transportation network drivers.
A YES vote would provide transportation network drivers the option to form unions to collectively with transportation network companies regarding wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work.
A NO vote would make no changes in the law relative to the drivers’ ability to unionize. - Question 4 – Initiative petition relative to the limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelic substances.
A YES vote would allow persons over age 21 to use certain natural psychedelic substances under licensed supervision, grow limited quantities in their home and create a commission to regulate the substances.
A NO vote would make no changes in the law. - Question 5 – Initiative petition establishing a minimum wage for tipped workers.
A YES vote would gradually increase the minimum wage an employer must play a tipped worker over the course of five years at which point employers could pool all tips and distribute them among non-management workers.
A NO vote would make no changes in the law.
The full text of the questions as well as detailed arguments on either side of each issue can be found in the “Massachusetts Information for Voters – 2024 Ballot Questions – State Election,” published by Secretary of State William F. Galvin and mailed to registered voters or online at VoteInMA.com.
Early voting hours are held in Hanson Town Hall from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1. [See list of specific days and hours on Page 7].
A special voter registration session will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Hanson Town Hall. This will be the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 5 election. Any citizen may also register to vote at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. And Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Registration may also be done by mail or online at rec.state.mass.us. Any citizen who will be 18 by Nov. 5, 2024 is eligible to register to vote by Oct. 26.
There is no school in Whitman or Hanson on Nov. 5 because Hanson Middle School is used as a polling place.