Hanover Finalizes Warrant for Dec. 8 Special Town Meeting

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HANOVER – The Hanover Select Board voted Monday to close the warrant for the Dec. 8 Special Town Meeting after adding a citizens petition proposing a recall process for elected officials.

The petition was presented by Walter Dixon who told the board he had gathered the required 100 signatures, which were certified by the town clerk on Oct. 29. He asked the board to advance the article for voter consideration at the upcoming meeting.

Select Board members and the town manager said the article must be included because it met state legal requirements for citizen-initiated warrant articles. The board agreed to list it as Article 5.

The board voted 4-0-1 to add the measure. Vanessa O’Connor abstained, saying, “Given that this is clearly a personal or at least directed attack towards me, I don't think it's appropriate for me to weigh in.”

In addition to the recall article, the warrant includes two planning board articles related to MBTA Communities zoning.

Article 1 proposes creating a new Multi-Family Overlay District (MFOD) to bring Hanover into compliance with Massachusetts’ Section 3A (MBTA Communities Act). The district, approximately 71 acres located at 1775 Washington Street, would allow multi-family housing as of right at 15 units per acre.

The bylaw establishes detailed standards for building height, density, setbacks, open space, parking, bicycle storage, affordability, and site plan review. It also outlines goals such as increasing housing diversity, supporting transit-oriented development, protecting water resources, and expanding the local tax base.

Affordable housing rules require 10% of units in qualifying developments to be deed-restricted for households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income. The article represents the town’s plan to meet its state-mandated multifamily zoning obligations.

Article 2 adds a brief but necessary cross-reference to the zoning bylaws, clarifying that development within the new Multi-Family Overlay District (created in Article 1) falls under the Purpose and Applicability provisions of the zoning bylaw. 

This amendment is a housekeeping measure to ensure consistent interpretation and enforcement of the zoning bylaws if Article 1 passes.

If voters reject Article 1, Hanover could be found non-compliant with the MBTA Communities Act, triggering potential legal challenges, loss of state aid, and other unbudgeted FY26 financial impacts.

Article 3 would authorize transferring up to $275,000 in Free Cash to cover legal expenses, lost revenue, or other negative financial outcomes stemming from such non-compliance. The intent is to protect municipal services and the FY26 budget from unexpected costs if the town does not adopt MBTA-required zoning.

The warrant also includes Article 4 which would close out old capital projects and return unused balances to free cash and other accounts.

The board voted unanimously to close the warrant which can be viewed here.