Town Moderator

Welcome to the Town Moderator section of the Hanover website. I’m Doug Thomson, your Town Moderator.

Click here to download the Town Meeting handout entitled "Welcome to Hanover Town Meeting" which provides important background information about Town Meeting (Annual and Special).  I encourage all residents of Hanover to read the information posted here and to participate fully in local government, an important part of which consists of Town Meetings and Elections.

The Town Moderator is most recognized for the role of running the Annual and Special Town Meetings. While this is a key function, the most important role is in the promotion of participation in government through the many permanent and temporary committees that are appointed by the Town Moderator. Currently, these committees include:

• Advisory Committee – This committee studies all town meeting articles and provides recommendations to the town on each article at all annual and special town meetings. It is a nine member committee with members appointed for three year terms.
• Capital Improvement Committee – This committee develops, studies and maintains the long term plan for all capital expenditures of the town. It is a five member committee with members appointed for three year terms.
• Community Preservation Committee – This committee develops and evaluates proposals for the expenditure of town funds from the Community Preservation Act tax surcharge and presents recommended expenditures to town meeting for vote. It is a nine member committee. Members are appointed for three year terms.
• Open Space Committee – This committee is responsible for the protection and enhancement of open space. It is a seven member committee. Members are appointed for three year terms.
• Parks and Recreation Committee – This committee develops and manages recreation facilities and programs. It is a seven member committee. Members are appointed for three year terms.
• Bylaw Review Committee – This committee reviews the bylaws of the town and makes recommendations to town meeting to add, delete or change the bylaws. It is a five member committee with members appointed for three year terms.
• Community Access and Media Committee – This committee manages the Public Educational and Government (PEG) television services to the town through public access cable and the studio facilities that will be in the new Hanover High School. This is a seven member committee appointed for one year terms.
• School Building Needs Committee – This temporary committee is studying the need for new or rehabilitated school buildings. It is currently funded to retain design plans for the Hanover High School and Center Elementary School. It is a seven member committee.
• Fire Station Building Committee – This temporary committee is studying the need for new or rehabilitated fire stations. It is a five member committee

Send an Email to the Moderator (moderator@hanover-ma.gov)

Please use the form below to send your interests, comments, or questions to the Town Moderator.  When you are finished click send.  Thank you!