Hanover Select Board Advances Budget Increases Amid Debate

Updated February 8, 2025

After weeks of debate, the Hanover Select Board has finalized a budget proposal that includes an override allocating an additional $3.8 million to the town’s schools, an increase from the initial $3.5 million in the override budget. The decision follows a series of contentious meetings in which board members and residents clashed over the balance between financial responsibility and educational investment.

The override, if approved at Town Meeting on May 5 and subsequently at the ballot on May 17, will result in a 10.3% increase in property taxes, raising the average tax bill by approximately $911. The board’s decision to cap the override’s impact under $1,000 per household reflects concerns from those advocating for a more fiscally restrained approach.

However, this compromise fell short of the $4.3 million requested by the school department to fully restore funding to fiscal year 2024 levels. Rachel Hughes, a School Committee member, pointed out that even with the proposed override, the schools would not recover from last year's $2.7 million cut.

"Our kids have way too many kids in class. They're not able to take the courses they've taken in the past," Hughes said.

The community remains engaged in a delicate balancing act, striving to meet the diverse needs of its residents while ensuring fiscal sustainability for the future.

Pressure From Both Sides

Throughout the process, the board faced pressure from two opposing groups: those advocating for full funding of the schools, and those emphasizing the need to limit tax increases to protect the financial well-being of residents. Select Board Chair Vanessa O’Connor acknowledged the challenge of striking a balance.

“We need to pass an override,” said O’Connor. “I think we’ve worked very hard to make it more palatable, to take in feedback from residents, and to craft something that meets the town’s needs while being mindful of affordability.”

O’Connor emphasized that while $3.8 million does not restore all the school funding lost after last year’s failed override, it represents a compromise. “We have made our judgments in terms of what to prioritize as a policy perspective on the budget,” she said. “If residents disagree, they need to tell us what they want to get rid of.”

Debate on the Viability of Other Services

The discussion took an unexpected turn when Satterwhite suggested potentially eliminating library funding from the base budget to prioritize public safety and education. This proposal sparked immediate controversy among board members and residents.

"I would never, ever support shutting down the library," said the board chair Vanessa O’Connor. "While it may be the lowest hanging fruit, essentially, after the transfer station, I think I'd candidly prefer more significant cuts to other departments before we continue to not prioritize the library."

The Select Board's decisions set the stage for Colangelo's budget submission Monday, with the ultimate test coming at the town meeting and ballot box in May.

O’Connor called for unity moving forward, urging "this board and the school committee, along with the grassroots community groups in town and any other resident that wants to get involved, unite going forward to get this unified override number passed in May, both at the town meeting and at the ballot."

However, some board members questioned whether the budget still asks too much from taxpayers. Select Board Member Greg Satterwhite proposed shifting funding priorities within the base budget, suggesting that the town reconsider the necessity of maintaining state certification for the library.

“In all wisdom, we should have a base budget that prioritizes priorities,” said Satterwhite. “I personally would prefer us to have a base budget for fiscal year 2026 that did not include the library and reallocated that funding to public safety and schools.”

Satterwhite acknowledged that the idea was unlikely to gain traction but stressed that hard conversations were necessary. “If the town doesn’t think that it’s worth it to invest in these things, then we need to talk about what we can actually afford,” he said.

If we could afford to give the school what they wanted, then I'm sure there wouldn't be no hesitation at all. It's not what we can afford. We have police, we have fire, we have other departments that we need their services," said Nyman.

Residents Speak Out

The January 30 and February 3 meetings drew significant public comment, with residents voicing passionate arguments on both sides of the issue.

Paul Nimeskern, a Hanover resident, questioned whether the school department was bearing a disproportionate share of the cuts compared to other departments. “Visually, it looks like no one's doing what they're supposed to be doing,” he said. “Not that I want anyone else to lose their position in town, but it can't be just one department.”

Others took a more skeptical approach to the override altogether. Resident Steve Friedman pointed out that while the board had made efforts to keep the tax increase under $1,000, the additional costs of the transfer station enterprise fund still meant residents were shouldering a heavier financial burden than advertised. “The real feel on what's coming out of people's pockets is more like $1,200,” said Friedman. “We need to be honest about that impact.”

On the other side, school advocates continued to push for full restoration of funding. Rachel Hughes, a resident and frequent attendee of the meetings, stressed that even with the override increase to $3.8 million, the school budget was still well below last year’s levels. “We’re not even asking for anything we asked for in the override last year,” said Hughes. “We lost $2.7 million in school funding last year, and we’re still operating at a deficit. This does not get us back to where we were.”

Elizabeth Corbo, another resident, proposed a “tiered override” structure that would give voters multiple options for funding levels. “If you are unwilling to support an amount that would allow the schools to restore at least teaching, para, and tutor positions, would the board consider structuring the override in a manner that keeps it within the parameters that you've set but gives an additional option to voters?” Corbo asked.

The idea was met with resistance from board members who argued that a split ballot approach could create confusion and risk both override options failing. “I have concerns about how that could be implemented at this point in a way that makes sense,” said Select Board Member John Tuzik. “We need to be clear and strategic in our approach.”

Background: Last Year’s Failed Override

In May 2024, Hanover voters faced a pivotal decision regarding a proposed $6 million tax override designed to address significant budget shortfalls across various town departments, notably the public schools. The measure was met with considerable debate within the community, reflecting deep divisions over fiscal priorities and the perceived value of public services.

Proponents of the override emphasized the critical need for increased funding to maintain essential services and uphold the quality of education in Hanover's schools. They argued that without the additional funds, the town would face detrimental cuts affecting students, public safety, and other vital services.

Opponents, however, raised concerns about the financial burden such a tax increase would impose on residents. They questioned the necessity of the override, suggesting that the town should explore alternative solutions to manage the budget without resorting to significant tax hikes.

Ultimately, the override was rejected by the voters, leading to a $2.7 million reduction in the school department's budget. This decision resulted in increased class sizes, reduced course offerings, and strained resources within the schools. The failed override also necessitated cuts in other departments, including public safety and public works, as the town grappled with the financial shortfall.

The aftermath of the failed override left the community at a crossroads, with ongoing debates about how to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to invest in public services. This context set the stage for the current year's budget discussions, as town officials and residents alike sought to find a sustainable path forward.

Reflecting on the previous year's challenges, Select Board Chair Vanessa O’Connor acknowledged the difficulties faced by the town. “We understand the concerns of our residents and the importance of fiscal responsibility,” said O’Connor. “However, we must also recognize the critical needs of our schools and other essential services. Finding the right balance is imperative for the well-being of our community.”

The lessons learned from the failed override have informed the current budget proposal, with town officials striving to present a plan that addresses the community's needs while remaining mindful of taxpayers' concerns. The proposed $3.8 million override for the schools represents a compromise, aiming to restore some of the lost funding while keeping the tax impact within a more acceptable range for residents.

As Hanover approaches the upcoming Town Meeting and subsequent ballot vote, the experiences of the past year serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges inherent in municipal budgeting.

What the School Committee Had to Say

Prior to the Select Board's decision, the Hanover School Committee voted for a $41,083,046 budget for fiscal year 2026, aiming to restore 37 positions previously cut due to funding deficits. These positions include middle school art teachers, high school physical education and wellness instructors, and special education support staff.

Committee member Libby Corbo emphasized the committee's role in advocating for students' educational needs.

"Our job here as school committee members ... is to advocate for what is educationally sound for our students," Corbo said. "Frankly, I'm not even convinced that 4.3 is educationally sound for our students. But I certainly don't think anything less would be."

Superintendent Matthew Ferron highlighted that the budget restoration focuses primarily on personnel.

"It's primarily the people. That we are restoring under these three models," Ferron said, referring to various budget scenarios presented to the committee.

Committee member Ryan Hall expressed concern about accepting less than the full $4.3 million increase.

"If we at this table vote for 3.5. And that override passes, we've essentially gotten what we said we need. And that's my concern," Hall said.

The Select Board's has the final decision in deciding an overall funding amount for the schools.

WHAT’S NEXT

Despite these divisions, the final override proposal reflects an effort to balance priorities. Town Manager Joe Colangelo emphasized that every budget decision had been weighed carefully. “Even if not everyone on the board or in the community feels like it’s exactly what they want, we have tried to look at every piece of information that has come in, every critique, every suggestion,” said Colangelo. “Nothing has been discarded.”

The budget includes funding for town services, public safety, and Hanover Public Schools while maintaining a responsible approach to long-term fiscal sustainability. The board also agreed to fund the library to maintain state certification, despite earlier discussions of cutting back.

As the town heads toward Town Meeting and the ballot vote in May, both supporters and opponents of the override will continue their advocacy efforts. Residents must decide whether the Select Board has struck the right balance between necessary investment and financial prudence.

“I understand that not everyone will be happy,” said O’Connor. “But this is the proposal we believe gives Hanover the best path forward.”