Hanover Considers First Cemetery Fee Hike in 23 Years

HANOVER — Cemetery fees in Hanover could rise for the first time in more than two decades following a spirited Select Board discussion Monday night that highlighted both the financial rationale and the community concerns surrounding the proposed increases.

The proposed changes—detailed in Article 21 of the draft Town Meeting warrant—would double many fees related to graves and burials, bringing them closer to levels seen in neighboring towns. The discussion was the most detailed yet on the issue, as officials weigh both affordability and the need for long-term maintenance planning.

Jeffrey Poirier, a Hanover resident and cemetery industry professional, said the town's current fees were well below those in surrounding communities.

"When you compare to places like Norwell and Duxbury and every place around us...we noticed that our fees were just much lower than what people's current fees are," Poirier said.

Select Board member Greg Satterwhite noted that the town is currently undercharging for services, especially weekday interments, where the cost to the town is more than double what it charges.

"When you look at what we charge for weekday interment of $600, the direct cost for the DPW is over $1,400," Satterwhite said. "The discrepancy between what we are charging for fees and what it actually costs...are significantly out of line."

But some board members expressed reservations about raising costs at a time when residents are already facing rising taxes and a proposed override.

"I just find it difficult to raise people's expenses at this point in time," said board member Steve Louko. "It seems like we'd be double dipping."

He suggested that fees might only be raised in specific categories, or that increases be smaller and phased in. "Maybe that's where we target the increase, but I don't think it should be as drastic," Louko said.

Board member Rhonda Niman also raised concerns about the size and speed of the proposed changes. "I just don't think we should double the fees just because we haven't in 23 years," she said.

Poirier countered that even with the proposed increases, the fees were not intended to generate profits, but rather to help the town prepare for future costs.

"There should be a small amount being made in each part, and it's really just to put money aside so that we're not losing money," he said.

One option discussed was forming a study committee to examine long-term cemetery management, including the possible establishment of a perpetual care fund to offset future maintenance costs. That proposal received support from several members as a middle ground between delaying fee hikes and implementing broad changes without a long-term plan.

"I think that's a good idea," said Satterwhite. "We're not making a lot of money. There's a margin above what it's actually costing us, but we could easily outpace that in the next year or two."

In the end, the board tabled the article, with Satterwhite agreeing to return at the April 7 meeting with revised fee figures that better reflect the town's actual costs. The board is also expected to decide whether to move forward with a study committee to examine future needs.

"I'd hate to see another year go by with fees that really should be a little bit higher than they are currently," Poirier said.

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