HANSON — Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer announced, during a brief meeting of the Board on Tuesday, Feb. 8, that he would be stepping down from the office effective May 21.
The board approved his motions to accept his resignation and that Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan place his position on the May 21 ballot for a two-year term on the Board of Selectmen.
“This comes with a heavy heart, as my job starts a new chapter,” Dyer said. “It’s going to be impacting my reporting location, my commute and my work schedule, so I would not be able to give the town of Hanson 100 percent or 120 percent, as it deserves.”
He said the decision was a tough one for him to make.
“I still have a lot to give to the town,” Dyer said. “There’s nothing more to it. There is no scandal. There is no health scare. There is nothing exciting, other than my project starts a new chapter and I’m going to be reporting elsewhere. All the rumors out there, I’m sorry to bum you out, but that’s all it is.”
Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said her vote to accept Dyer’s resignation came with “deep, deep regret and tremendous gratitude.”
Selectman Kenny Mitchell has said he is not running for re-election this year, so that places two positions on the town ballot this year. One for Mitchell’s seat for a three-year term and one for a two-year term to fill the vacancy caused by Dyer’s resignation.
“If you do run, you have to specify which position that you want to go for, it’s not a one form-fills-all deal,” Dyer said to the audience about the election process.
He thanked all his supporters, noting he was 27 when he was elected and that he has enjoyed four great years of volunteering for the position.
“It’s been quite an opportunity, quite a learning curve, and I want to thank everyone who has taught me along the way — from town employees, to former selectmen, to volunteers in the town — we really have a great community and we just have to stick together to make sure it thrives,” he said.
In other business, Dyer announced a COVID test distribution event for Hanson residents will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Maquan School parking lot.
Selectman Jim Hickey said he and Town Administrator Lisa Green met with members of the Board of Health, three members of the Fire Department and two members of the Police Department to plan the event.
“Once the line [of cars] gets moving, you shouldn’t be there more than two minutes,” he said. “It’s pretty much going to be a nonstop thing.”
Every car will be handed one, two-test box. Proper ID or transfer station stickers will be accepted as proof of residency. Both Maquan and School streets will be limited to one-way traffic during the event to ease traffic flow. Residents of Meeting House Lane and those residents who are home bound will be able to have test kits delivered to their homes. Contact the Senior Center 781-293- 2683 to sign up for that.