Hanover Faces Snow Removal Budget Shortfall

HANOVER — Hanover officials are preparing for a potential budget shortfall in snow and ice removal costs after a harsher-than-expected winter. The Select Board discussed the issue at its most recent meeting, noting that a vote at special town meeting in May may be required to allocate additional funds.

Hanover, like many Massachusetts communities, routinely underfunds its snow and ice budget in anticipation of using free cash or additional appropriations if necessary. This year, however, the town’s expenditures have already exceeded the annual budget.

“I do think that we are just over our annual appropriation for snow and ice already this year,” Town Manager Joe Colangelo said. “So it is likely that we’ll need a free cash allocation, especially if there’s more snow in March, which sometimes there is.”

Officials noted that while the shortfall is not unusual, it could become a larger concern if winter weather continues into late March or April.

Has Hanover Cut Its Snow Budget Too Much?

In recent years, the town has reduced its snow and ice budget to ease financial pressures elsewhere.

“I think we’ve taken some risks on reducing that line item,” Colangelo said. “I don’t know where it was when I started. It might’ve been close to $600,000 when I started. I think over the years we reduced it.”

Budget Director Jim Hoyes confirmed that Hanover’s typical snow and ice appropriation had been $500,000, though in previous harsh winters, the total cost of snow removal had soared as high as $800,000.

“I looked at that,” Hoyes said. “I don’t have the exact number in current, but our appropriation had been at $500,000, and I think, in fact, the town manager budget continued that. I think it was AdCom that had recommended that that get lowered because of mild winters and because of our budget.”

The decision to keep the appropriation low has resulted in the need for mid-year funding adjustments, which could require voter approval if a significant amount of additional funds is needed.

Potential Next Steps

Colangelo explained that town officials are monitoring the situation closely but are already preparing for the possibility of a special town meeting warrant article to allocate additional funds.

“I don’t have a number to put forward, but I guess I’m putting on the board and, I suppose, the public on notice that there may be an article request here for our current year snow and ice budget,” Colangelo said.

With the town already working to address other financial challenges, including a projected budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, Select Board members acknowledged that the timing of an additional allocation for snow removal could complicate broader budget discussions.

More details on the potential funding request are expected to be discussed in the coming weeks as officials assess whether further snow events will add to the deficit.

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