Town Meeting 2023 Articles Status Updates

The following list represents the current status of articles passed at the Annual Town Meeting on May 1, 2023.

Last modified: April 9, 2024

Special Town Meeting

Article	Issue	Status
1	Payment of Prior Year Expenditures	Payment pending.
2	Transfer Funds - School Department Budget School Committee	Transfer completed.

Annual Town Meeting

Article	Issue	Status
1	Accept Reports in Annual Town Report	No further action required.
2	Hear/Accept Reports of Committees and State Officials	No further action required.
3	Authorize Treasurer to Accept Trust Funds	No further action required.
4	Assume Liability to Allow State DEP Work	No further action required.
5	Set Pay for Elected Official - Town Moderator	Compensated in accordance with this article.
6	Set Pay for Elected Official - Town Clerk	Compensated in accordance with this article.
7	Appropriate Funds – Community Preservation Revenues	Budget effective as of July 1^st.
8	General Fund Operating Budget	Budget effective as of July 1^st.
9	Water Enterprise Budget	Budget effective as of July 1^st.
10	Appropriate Funds – Cedar School Security ($700,000 Debt)	The Cedar School Vestibule Project is nearing completion. The reconfigured main office and reception area significantly increases the security of the school while ensuring a welcoming and efficient experience for visitors. New curbing and sidewalks have been installed at the school. Other interior and exterior security improvement projects are ongoing.
11	Appropriate Funds – Special Education Reserve ($750,000 Free Cash)	Special Education Reserve ($750,000 Free Cash): Funding was transferred on July 1^st.
12	PEG Access and Cable Related Fund ($475,000 PEG Receipts Reserved Fund)	Budget effective as of July 1^st.
13	Set Limits On Revolving Funds	No further action required.
14	Amend General Bylaws – §4-14 to Create the Position of Deputy Police Chief	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
15	Authorize Select Board to Purchase Property Adjacent to Pond Street Wells	Town manager is in communication with property owner regarding negotiations.
16	Appropriate Funds – Funding for Town Costs Required to Run Winterfest and Hanover Day ($50,000 Free Cash)	Funding was made available as of July 1^st.
17	Appropriate Funds – HFD Cardiac Monitors ($200,000 Free Cash)	Funding was made available as of July 1^st. Monitors have been delivered and were placed into service on August 1st, 2023.
18	Appropriate Funds – HFD Command Vehicle ($80,000 Free Cash)	The vehicle has been built and is in transit to the dealer with delivery to the dealer tentatively expected in the end of April 2024. Dealer will then install emergency accessories, and delivery to Hanover is expected in Mid to late May of 2024, with the vehicle in service date at that time.
19	Appropriate Funds – HPD Cruisers x 2 ($150,000 Free Cash)	Funding was made available as of July 1^st. Cruisers have been ordered and are expected in fall 2023.
20	Rescind Borrowing Authorization Under Article 20 of the 2021 Annual Town Meeting	Town Meeting Approved rescinding the borrowing authorization. Documentation has been sent to bond counsel for decision.
21	Municipal Aggregation Program	The Select Board granted the Town Manager authority to enter into a contract with MASS Power Choice with regards to Municipal Aggregation for the Town of Hanover. On March 18, 2024 MASS Power Choice made their formal presentation of the Municipal Aggregation program to the Select Board and kicked off the 30 day public comment period on the plan.
22	Amend South Shore Regional Vocational School District Agreement	Motion has passed in all nine communities, certifications will be sent to Commissioner of Education and students from Marshfield are expected to begin enrollment on July 1^st.
23	Accept Chapter 90 Road Grant Monies	No further action required
24	Appropriate Funds – Three (3) DPW Vehicles and Vehicle Lift ($540,000 Free Cash)	The three vehicles have been purchased and are currently in service. The vehicle lift has been ordered and expected to be delivered/installed in the Summer of 2024.
25	Appropriate Funds – Middle School Water Main ($500,000 Debt)	Completed. Funding was made available as of July 1^st, and the new water main from Whiting Street to Hanover Middle School has been installed.
26	Appropriate Funds – Air Stripper Replacement ($350,000 Debt)	This work is anticipated to take place in the Summer of 2024.
27	Appropriate Funds – King Street Water Main ($875,000 Debt)	Major construction has been completed. The contractor will be performing final restoration to the roadway and affected road shoulders in late April/Early May of 2024.
28	Street Acceptance – Wood Hollow Way	Wood Hollow Way is now a public way. Mass DOT has been notified.
29	Appropriate CPC Funds – Affordable Housing Trust	Transfer was made on July 1^st.
30	Appropriate CPC Funds – Forge Pond Park Lighting Project	ZBA approval is being appealed by an abutting property owner. $500,000 was approved by the town for illuminating the playing fields.
31	Appropriate CPC Funds – Historical Society Library and Archives Preservation Materials	Funds made available on July 1^st.
32	Appropriate CPC Funds – Stetson House Gardens and Grounds Restoration	Funds made available on July 1^st.
33	Appropriate CPC Funds – Stetson House Lower Barn Stone Wall Restoration	Funds will be available on July 1^st.
34	Appropriate CPC Funds – Weights and Measures Cabinet Restoration	Funds made available on July 1^st.
35	Petition Article to Petition General Court – Date for Issuing Licenses	H.4009, an Act extending the date for issuance of certain licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in Hanover, was enacted on April 3, 2024 and is awaiting the Governor's approval.
36	Amend Zoning Bylaws Section 2.100 Definitions	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
37	Amend Zoning Bylaws Section 5.040 Grandfathered Project Approvals	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
38	Amend Zoning Bylaws Section 13.200 Limitations on Variance or Special Permit Grants	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
39	Petition Article to Prohibit Digital Message Boards, Internally Illuminated and Moving Signs	Town Meeting rejected this petition article. No further action required.
40	Revised Petition Article to Prohibit Digital Message Boards, Flashing and Moving Signs	Article approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023. Posting took place on December 15, 2023, after which the General Bylaw Changes took effect.
41	Amend Sign Bylaws Article 5 Delete Language under Section 5.1.1	Article approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023. Posting took place on December 15, 2023, after which the General Bylaw changes took effect.
42	Amend Zoning Bylaws Insert New Section 5.900 Permit for Digital Message Boards	Town Meeting rejected this petition article. No further action required.
43	Amend Zoning Bylaws – Section 6.100(G) Accessory Building and Uses	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
44	Amend Zoning Bylaws – Section 5.300 Accessory Structures	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
45	Amend Zoning Bylaws - Section 6 Use Regulations	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
46	Amend Zoning Bylaws – Section 9.010 Minimum Parking Requirements	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
47	Amend Planning Office Fees	Fee change effective as of July 1^st.
48	Appropriate Funds – E-Code Software ($18,000 Free Cash)	Funds are available as of July 1^st. Town Planner is working with the company to prepare.
49	Correct Spelling of Luddam’s Ford Park to Ludden’s Ford Park	This project is in progress.
50	General Bylaws – Amendments to §6-14 Wetlands Protection	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
51	General Bylaws – Amendments to §4-12 Conservation Commission	Amended May 1, 2023, approved by the Attorney General on November 28, 2023.
52	Petition Article to Transfer of Town Owned Land, (611 Webster Street), to the Conservation Commission to be Held for Conservation, Passive Recreation and or Historic Preservation Purposes In Perpetuity	Town Meeting rejected this petition article. No further action required.

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Town Meeting 2023 Articles Status Updates

Special Town Meeting

Annual Town Meeting