Plans for DPW, county hospital go before Hanson voters
Don Ferguson
Enterprise
HANSON -� Registered voters will act on a 26-article warrant at the special town meeting scheduled for 7:30 tonight in the Hanson Middle School off Liberty Street.
Seven articles have been submitted by the Board of Selectmen, four by the Highway Department, one by the fire chief, two by the Recreation Committee, two by the building inspector, one by the Planning Board, two by the Elder Affairs Committee and six by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The article that seems to have provoked the most discussion at board and committee meetings is Article 11, which asks voters for permission to petition the Legislature to establish a Department of Public Works.
A new Department of Public Works, as outlined in Article 11, would combine the Highway Department, Water Department, Board of Health, Cemetery Commission, Parks and Fields and the Recreation Commission under one department, which would be controlled by DPW commissioners appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
If approved by voters and the Legislature and signed by the governor, it would become immediately effective and would possibly eliminate the highway surveyor, water superintendent and whatever positions are currently under the control of each individual department.
A second controversial article is Article 6, asking for $35,000 to demolish the former Plymouth County Hospital on High Street.
The former tuberculoses hospital once operated by the Plymouth County commissioners was established in the early 1900s for residents of the county who had contracted tuberculosis.
Since its purchase by the town in 1999, the site has been the focus of many re-use proposals, was sold to a developer, and was reclaimed by the town.
The former hospital has become a haven for vandals, has suffered many suspicious fires and is a recognized hazard to safety officials.
It is still considered a quasi n historical site and the Historical Commission is intent on preserving the buildings.
There are 10 money articles on the warrant that require voter approval, with the money to be taken from available funds.
Seven articles have been submitted by the Board of Selectmen, four by the Highway Department, one by the fire chief, two by the Recreation Committee, two by the building inspector, one by the Planning Board, two by the Elder Affairs Committee and six by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The article that seems to have provoked the most discussion at board and committee meetings is Article 11, which asks voters for permission to petition the Legislature to establish a Department of Public Works.
A new Department of Public Works, as outlined in Article 11, would combine the Highway Department, Water Department, Board of Health, Cemetery Commission, Parks and Fields and the Recreation Commission under one department, which would be controlled by DPW commissioners appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
If approved by voters and the Legislature and signed by the governor, it would become immediately effective and would possibly eliminate the highway surveyor, water superintendent and whatever positions are currently under the control of each individual department.
A second controversial article is Article 6, asking for $35,000 to demolish the former Plymouth County Hospital on High Street.
The former tuberculoses hospital once operated by the Plymouth County commissioners was established in the early 1900s for residents of the county who had contracted tuberculosis.
Since its purchase by the town in 1999, the site has been the focus of many re-use proposals, was sold to a developer, and was reclaimed by the town.
The former hospital has become a haven for vandals, has suffered many suspicious fires and is a recognized hazard to safety officials.
It is still considered a quasi n historical site and the Historical Commission is intent on preserving the buildings.
There are 10 money articles on the warrant that require voter approval, with the money to be taken from available funds.
This article was
written by Don Ferguson
and published by Enterprise
on Monday, October 2